Page 50 of S.O.S. Mizzay

He’d point out to Andy that—despitehisdissension at the time—her stubbornness those many years agohadled to the rogue CIA agent being revealed; that her decision, as much as hehadn’t liked it, hadn’t been in vain, and that it had led to their coming together.

He simply needed to convince Andy thathisplanthistime had an equal chance of succeeding, and their relationship could then move forward, unhindered.

Of course, she’d argue thather triumph had been fleeting, and that things—outside of their newly forged bond—had quickly blown up.

The bad-apple agent, after being filmed by Andy while taking money from El-Umar, had been arrested and extradited to the States; put into DOJ custody where he’d eventually been tried, then he’d been assassinated during transport. Which meant that there was still someone in the DOJ who was involved with the illegal machinations of El-Umar.

Andthatwas why El-Umar was still at large.

Loose ends at the DOJ and at the FBIstillhad to be uncovered and tied up before shutting El-Umar down altogether; for Cobble to testify against the man on charges of murder.

Which is where Cobble’s plan came into play.

“Are you gonna eat, or not?” Andy called to him, turning from the microwave to the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room, giving him a grin. “I’ve already got mine.” She held up a plate she’d piled high with various selections of Chinese food that she’d just rewarmed.

Cobble sighed; his hands planted deeply in his jeans’ pockets.

Fuck. Did he spoil her appetite, now, or did he let her eat before letting fly?

Andy stared at him for a hot minute before…

“What’s wrong?” she asked, putting her plate down.

Of courseshe’d pick up on his unease.

“I…” Cobble took a deep breath, then blurted out the first thing that came into his head. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“You…?”

Her shock had Cobble momentarily questioning whether or not he wanted to continue.

“What do you mean, you can’t…? Do you mean…us?” Her voice cracked.

Oh, shit.

Major misfire!

“No! Of course not!” Cobble yelped out. He quickly rounded the island and drew a stiff Andy into his arms. “We’re good, sweetheart. Better than good. What we have between us is and has been the best part of my life for the past five years. It’s the only thing that’s kept me sane.”

He kissed her with a fervency that he hoped settled her worries.

“Mmm. Best kiss, ever,” he attempted as he raised his head slightly, but this time, his silly words didn’t distract her.

Andy succumbed for a few seconds before pulling back abruptly to glare. “Thenwhatcan’t you do anymore?” she asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes behind her overly-large glasses.

Cobble looked closely at her steely resolve, and lined up his arguments. “Well, I’ve decided—”

Andy blinked, then pushed him away.

“No. Uh, uh. Just…no,” she spat out, shaking her head. “Don’t even think about it.”

Cobble was almost amused. “Think about what?” he asked, swallowing down his nervous emotions.

“About becoming visible,” she guessed, and rightly so. “Making yourself a target,” she continued. “Cobble. Stop. This isn’t the way. You just need to be patient,” she urged. “The agency is getting closer and closer every day.”

It was Cobble’s turn to step back. His feet took him around the counter and into his living room where he began to pace.

“No. They’re not,” he clipped loudly. “You and Chuck have been saying that for the past fourteen years.” He stopped, facing away from Andy, frustratedly running a hand back through his overly-long blond hair.

---