Page 63 of S.O.S. Mizzay

“I’m liking her more and more,” Cobble imparted. “And from what you were about to say, I take it that Chuck didn’t like her putting herself in that position?”

Andy scoffed. “Understatement. But I don’t know what he’d worried about. At least in custody, she should be safe. Whereas the rest of us will be putting our asses on the line, running around pretending to be buddies with a rogue agent or agents.”

Cobble knew that, and he didn’t like it one bit. He worried about Andy. She never hesitated to put herself directly in the line of fire.

But he couldn’t go all caveman on her like Chuck had on Tertia, or she’d rip him a new one.

Maybe…

“Youze are thinking of telling me to be careful, aren’t yah?” Andy guessed astutely with a look on her face he couldn’t quite read.

“No. Yeah. Maybe… Do you blame me?” he questioned, tightening his hold on her. “We haven’t had a chance to start ourreallives together yet, and one mistake might take you from me.” Cobble shivered internally at the thought.

“Ditto,” Andy said, staring into his face. “This set-up is just as dangerous for you, if not more so. Ever since you first threw this at me, I’ve been trying to think of ways to keepyouout of the fray.”

“I know,” Cobble conceded, then interjected some humor. “And you can’t imagine the number of times I’ve tamped down the urge to throw you over my shoulder and hide you under the bed.”

“Smart decision that you didn’t,” Andy chuckled. “But I wouldn’t object to under thecovers,” she quipped.

Cobble took a deep breath and chuckled at her innuendo, trying to let his concerns take a back seat to the beautiful day. He started over on a milder note.

“So. Everything goes into motion on Monday morning?”

“Yup. As soon as Baskins makes his fake-arrest of Tertia, Cavateral will do his part, then we’re off and running.”

That part of things cheered him up. Cobble was so tired of waiting

“And your SOS crew?”

“They’ll integrate into both the DOJ and the FBI’s actions, having been given permission to be part of the proceedings from the two directors.”

“Perfect,” Cobble tried to reassure himself. “With all these operatives on our side, what can go wrong?”

Andy laid a finger on Cobble’s lips. “Don’t,” she said solemnly.

“I know,” he responded with an uncomfortable snicker. “You said it before. No jinxing. Are you agent types always on edge about cursing things?” He didn’t wait for her answer. “Not thatI’m discounting it could be a thing, but I’m going to go with skills winning out over the supernatural.” He kissed her raised digit, then lifted his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Still uncharacteristically nervous about this?”

She buried her face in his chest and nodded.

“Me, too. But imagine that in a few short days this will all be over and we can finally be together, full-time.”

He felt her suck in a breath and square her shoulders. “You’re right. I should be looking on the bright side.” She raised her head to regard him, completely changing lanes. “So, in this not-so-nebulous-anymore, future life of ours together, where do you think you’d like to begin our next chapter?”

Cobble blinked. He hadn’t really thought about it. Sure, he’d pictured a house, kids, Andy at his side, but… Where would that be?

“I don’t know,” he responded honestly. “My parents are in Vermont, yours are in Minnesota. So either of those places would make them happy. But your job is here in Boston, as are Rory’s life and friends. And don’t teenagers have the last say in these kinds of things, anyway?” he joked.

“Seriously? Not an issue,” Andy laughed. “If I know Rory, she’ll be so happy for me ‘getting a life outside my stupid work’ as she so often calls it, that she’ll follow us anywhere if she thinks it will help me evolve.”

Cobble chuckled heartily. “We probably don’t need to test that theory,” he answered after a moment’s thoughts. “Since I don’t have a vocation, it seems the easiest thing to do would be for us to settle here.”

Andy let out a huge sigh and her shoulders relaxed. “Is it bad of me to say I was hoping you’d be okay with that?” she admitted. “I wasn’t going to force you if you had other ideas, but I can’t imagine separating from SOS.”

Cobble turned to teasing. “Are you kidding? Your ‘stupid work’ is a huge part of your identity,” he snickered. “But seriously, at one pointoneof us stated that SOS would hiremein a blink.”

Cobble knew he’d been the one to cockily say it, but Andy hadn’t contradicted him, so… Might there be a place for him at SOS?

“Funny you should mention that.” Andy looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. “I’ve already chatted with Del, and he’s actually pumped to have another potential operative on staff.”

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