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Carrie looked up from her wedding photo. She’d been married to Peter Quinn for a few months now and was enjoying being Mrs Quinn.
Quinn offered her security and comfort and protection, and she knew he understood exactly what her line of work required from both of them.
In the photo Carrie wore a stunning white strapless bridal gown and she smiling as she held her toddler daughter Franny in her arms as Quinn stood smiling with his arm around Carrie’s shoulders as they stood close to each other under the gazebo.
Carrie wiped the sleep from her eyes as she sat up in bed. Quinn was on his second mission in two months and Carrie really missed him when he was away. She thought she was the workaholic in the relationship, but she learnt that Quinn was just as dedicated to his job as she was. He never fails to surprise me, Carrie thought fondly.
Sighing, Carrie got out of bed and began her morning routine. She brushed her teeth and took her meds before getting dressed in a sharp navy blue business suit with a purple blouse.
She looked at her watch and groaned. She was going to be late to the 9am meeting again held by her mentor Saul Berenson and her husband Quinn.
The reason why Quinn was away from home that past two weeks was due to the fact that he was on a mission to gather data from a crashed Arabic fighter jet that landed on a deserted airbase on US soil in Utah. Quinn’s mission was to study the plane so they could find out If it was a threat or not. This was his last day abroad on the mission and he was due home tomorrow. Carrie was looking forward to see him.
Carrie managed to make breakfast for Frannie and fed her a little of the toddler cereal. Frannie gurgled and ate happily before there was a knock on the door. Carrie sighed in relief. She loved being with Frannie, but on this particular morning she was late and needed to be at work ASAP. The baby sitter was also ten minutes late and seemed to take forever to get to the Quinn’s.
Carrie ran a hand through her long blonde hair and took a deep breath before opening the front door. Sure enough, the sitter, Ms Harper was there carrying a bag full of baby equipment.
She was from New York and recently moved to Washington DC, a few blocks down from where Carrie lives with Quinn in Adams Morgan.
The sitter, Miss Stone, was a young lady in her late thirties. She had long dark hair and brown eyes. She always dressed stylishly, and today was no exception as she wore a pink business blazer and pink pencil skirt. A white blouse and strappy brown high heels finished the look.
She had been baby sitting Frannie for the past few months, ever since Carrie and Quinn got married and went back to work.
“Hey Angela,” Carrie greeted her warmly as she put on her jacket, and grabbed her bag. “Hello and goodbye?” Angela asked with a chuckle as she saw Carrie was getting ready to leave.
“As always. But thanks Angela. She’s just had her usual breakfast. Sorry but I gotta run I’m gonna be late,” Carrie told her apologetically as she grabbed her keys and made her way out.
“It’s no problem Mrs Quinn,” Angela called over her shoulder. “See you at eight,” Carrie called as the door closed behind her.

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Carrie hurried into the CIA building half an hour later. It was now 9:30am and she hated being so late, especially when the meeting Involved her own husband.
Carrie arrived at the conference room and opened the door, before hurriedly made her way to a seat as everyone turned to face her.
“Carrie, how nice of you to finally join us,” Saul said sarcastically. “I’m sorry Saul,” Carrie told him truthfully as she took a seat next to a fellow colleague named Mandy Simmons.
Saul sighed. Carrie looked up to see her husband once again transmitting a report from Utah as he stood by the crashed fighter jet. Carrie mentally kicked herself. She hoped she hadn’t missed much of Peter’s report as she really did miss him when he was away.
Carrie caught Peter smiling a little at her as he continued his report. “So in conclusion, this jet poses no threat to the American air services. We found that this is a genuine accident by the Arabians and they apologise. They will send help to clean up the jet ASAP,” Quinn was saying.
He was wearing his usual spy outfit, all black clothing as he stood by the jet which had military personnel milling around It and engineer experts were also there looking at the jet’s engines as they worked at the abandoned air base in Utah.
Peter suddenly grinned. “And tell my blonde bombshell of a wife that I miss her like crazy,” he said as he finished with his report. Everyone laughed and the guys hooted and cheered as Carrie grinned and blushed.
“Tell my husband I’ll kill him when he gets back,” Carrie replied and everyone ooohed as some guys mimicked a whip lashing.
Saul couldn’t help but grin too. “All right people that’s enough,” he told the team and waited a few minutes for them to calm down.
“Debriefing is over people. You’re dismissed,” he told them as everyone but Carrie and Saul left the room. Carrie stood up and put her hands on her hips as she faced her husband who was still on the satellite video screen.
“When are you coming back Quinn?” Carrie asked with a grin. “My flight is first thing tomorrow to DC. Missing me?” He asked coyly, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“You better believe It. Hurry back,” she told Quinn before gesturing to Saul to disconnect the satellite video link.
Saul smiled as he leant against a desk facing Carrie. “You should be proud. That was Quinn’s best mission yet,” he told her. Carrie smiled back at him. “I know,” she told him happily.
Later that afternoon Carrie sat at her desk sorting out the paperwork for Tom’s mission. It was 3pm and Carrie was working as fast as she could before going back home to relieve her babysitter as Angela had to go home by 4pm to run some errands.
Carrie grumbled to herself as she worked the last half of her pile of paperwork. She hated signing documents. It was so repetitive and boring but unfortunately it had to be done.
Just then there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” Carrie called back, fearful for a potential distraction from her paperwork. The door opened and Saul poked his head In. “Carrie, heads up. Head to the debriefing room now. Next mission is information flights over Cuba,” he told her. “Will it take long?” Carrie asked as she bit her lip anxiously while looking at the clock which now read 3:15pm. She was sue to be home within 45 minutes.
“Just twenty minutes if you come now,” Saul told her. “You can finish the paperwork tomorrow,” he told her. Carrie nodded before switching off her laptop and placed the papers In her desk drawer before following Saul out of the office and locking the door behind them.

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The next mission saw Carrie in charge of a fact finding plane flights over Cuban airspace. The main aim of the mission was to see any recent changes of the capital city of Cuba.
Thankfully the passenger planes that Carrie was in charge of was due to fly at 08:00 the next day, leaving her plenty of time to see Frannie, but sadly not enough time to see Peter.
Tom texted her on her drive back from the Agency building and told her he will be flying for most of the night and he’ll get back to D.C. at 07:00 so he’s be able to see her before she went on the mission.
Carrie turned and parked in her driveway before eagerly getting out of the car.
She couldn’t wait to see Frannie and get her ready for her dad’s coming home the next morning.
Once inside her home Carrie found Angela sitting on the couch with Frannie on her knee as they were watching TV. Carrie grinned as she saw her daughter’s favourite program showing which was Sponge Bob Square Pants.
Frannie sang along to the theme time at the top of her voice while Carrie and Angela greeted each other.
“I’m sorry to get her excited before her nap time but there was a special episode showing and she Insisted I stay and watch it with her,” Angela explained apologetically as she stood up slowly and gently handed Frannie over to Carrie when she’d finished singing.
“That’s ok I understand,” Carrie said with a smile as she kissed Frannie on the cheek. Frannie squealed as she was so happy to be with her Mom again and she cried out ‘Mom!’ She then flung her small arms around Carrie’s neck and Carrie moved one foot to the other as she patted Frannie’s back.
“Hello sweetheart,” she cooed to her daughter as Frannie played with Carrie’s long blonde hair.
Carrie then saw Angela out after thanking her once again for her baby sitting service.
Once Angela left Carrie placed Frannie in her playpen in the living room where Frannie instantly began playing with her toys. Carrie planned to put Frannie in bed In the next hour while she got some paperwork done for the Cuban mission- and wait for Peter.

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Carrie slept soundly that night. She had planned to stay up and wait for Peter but the paperwork made her surprisingly tired so she decided to put Fran to bed before lying on her own bed still wearing her blue suit. She decided to rest her eyes for a few minutes but as soon as she hit the pillow she instantly fell asleep.
As the morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom window a few hours later Carrie was just waking up by something pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Carrie’s eyes fluttered open and she saw Peter, sitting on his side of the bed and smiling down at her.
“Quinn,” Carrie mumbled sleepily but happily as she began to sit up.
But Peter stopped her gently. “Carrie. I missed you,” he said simply and softly as he stroked the side of her face with his hand. Carrie smiled as she wiped the sleep out of her eyes. “I missed you, I’m sorry, Quinn I was going to wait up for you, but I got sleepy so I then-,” the rest of her explanation died on her lips as Peter grinned and placed a finger on her lips.
“I know Carrie,” he told her softly before leaning down and then planting a firm kiss on her mouth. Carrie sighed happily as Quinn got into bed with her, still wearing his clothes, and embraced her In his strong arms. Carrie felt she was really completely home as she kissed him back and the two of them laid in bed and made love.

The next day Carrie left Peter with Frannie as she went to work to make a start on the Cuban mission.
Peter was going to be home for the weekend while he waited for Saul to give him a new mission.
Carrie listened to her favourite jazz station on her car radio as she drove to work. She knew with jazz that it’s not the notes you hear, it’s the notes they’re not playing that’s what one has to listen out for.
Carrie entered her office at 9am not long before Saul paid her a visit and told her they had to start the Cuban mission In the control room.
Carrie followed Saul down the long winding corridors before entering the room. Analysts were seated at one long desk next to each other in front of the satellite picture screens wearing headsets.
Carrie and Saul put theirs on too as they stood behind them. Carrie folded her arms across her chest all business like.
The passenger plane was just about to fly over Cuba. Carrie had the previous maps from the last Cuba mission on the desk in front of her so she and Saul could spot any changes to the city of Havana that they may need to investigate further on.
“Ok, zoom In on that building down there on the right,” Carrie instructed the analysts. They did and Carrie thoughtfully studied the large bricked building that didn’t appear on the previous map. “Ok, someone study the building. Find out it’s function,” Carrie told them.
“Snap a picture, Eagle One,” Saul told the pilots of the plane. “Yes Sir Mr Berenson,” the pilot replied. “Taking satellite photo now,” he told Saul.
“Photo taken,” the pilot informed them a few minutes later as they continued their flight over their airspace around Havana.
“Hold on a second,” the pilot said over their headsets in surprise. “What, what is it Captain?” Carrie asked worriedly by the tone of the Captain’s voice. Suddenly Carrie and Saul could hear flares being shot by Cuban fighter jets. “We’re being shot at!” The Captain yelled through their headsets.
“Ok, stay calm! Abort mission now! I repeat, abort mission now and get out of their airspace!” Saul yelled back at the Captain and his crew.
“Turning round now!” The Captain yelled over the flares that were hitting them. “He won’t make it in time!” Carrie yelled as the plane slowly started to do a turn.
“Keep turning!” Saul told them. “We just got one of our engines hit,” the Captain told Saul and Carrie. “Just keep turning,” Carrie said weakly, not knowing what else to say.
Finally as the plane suffered one more shot by a flare, the entire crew in the control room clapped as the plane managed to fly out from Havana airspace and onto their own American fly route.
“Phew just about made it,” the Captain reported In relief. “Great work, Captain. Land at the nearest American airbase,” Carrie told him with a smile before taking her headset off only to see Saul glaring at her.
“What is it?” Carrie asked. “They hardly did any work. All we did was get one lousy photo,” he told Carrie as an Analyst came by and handed him the satellite photo of the Ariel view of the large new building at the centre of town.
Carrie shrugged. “We’ll just go in again,” she told Saul simply as she took the photo out of his hands and studied it with the previous map.
“We can’t keep shutting missions short, Carrie,” Saul argued. “The government simply doesn’t have a budget for it,” he told her as he thoughtfully watched the plane leave Cuban airspace.
“Look Saul, do you want to find out of any new threats in Cuba or not?” Carrie demanded looking up from the maps and photos.
Saul sighed. “Yes, I do,” he told Carrie. “Well then trust me,” Carrie answered. “We will get the data we need. Just give me another 48 to set up another plane and I’ll get more data from that flight. That’s all we need, one more plane,” she told Saul.
Saul finally nodded. “Ok, have It your way Carrie, but don’t come crying to me when the government comes down on you for using their money,” he warned her before walking out of the control room, leaving Carrie staring after him.

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Carrie sat at her seat at her desk in her office waiting for her laptop to hook up with Peter’s back home.
Of course she could call him but Carrie told he she wanted to see his and Franny’s faces.
The connection was made a moment later and Carrie grinned to see Franny and Peter smiling at the camera.
“Hey guys,” she greeted them fondly. “Hey,” Peter replied before lifting Franny’s hand in a little wave. Peter then told Carrie that they just had dinner. “How’d the Cuban mission go?” Peter asked her as Franny tried to get out of his arms.
Carrie quickly filled him In on what had happened and Peter nodded understandingly. “You did a great job, Carrie. Don’t listen to Saul,” Peter advised her.
Carrie smiled her thanks. “So I’m gonna be here for the next 48 hours. I’ll be back late Monday which’s the earliest I can get home. I’m so sorry I have to miss the first weekend you’re back, Peter,” she told him apologetically.
Peter shrugged as Franny played with her teddy bear Ringo in his arms. “I know Its not your fault, Carrie. But at least I saw you when I got home,” he reasoned. “That’ll keep me going til Monday,” he said with a grin.
Carrie smiled as she ticked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. “Thanks for being so understanding and patient, Peter,” she replied. “I’ll be back on Monday as soon as I can,” she promised them. Peter grinned. “I know you do,” he told her with a smile before they told each other that they loved each other and said their good nights.
Carrie sighed and smiled to herself as she turned off her laptop. She couldn’t wait to get home on Monday and be reunited with her small family once again.
Carrie then got into bed and turned off the light ready for a good nights sleep.
Later on Sunday at 0900, Carrie was back in the control room like she had been the previous day only Saul wasn’t around. He clearly doesn’t support my second try, Carrie thought bitterly as she studied the old and new maps of Cuba and its capital city Havana.
The Analysts informed her that the plane was ready for take off so they can make the routine flight around Havana.
“Good. Take off, Captain,” Carrie told the pilot, giving him the green light to go. “Copy that,” the Captain replied and they all listened to the cabin crew preparing the passengers for their take off.
“Stay calm,” Carrie instructed them softly through her headset. It had taken her all day Saturday to persuade the crew and its passengers to do overtime and fly into Cuban airspace once again.
Carrie also had to get the Captain to get another plane for the mission while the shot plane got fixed.
Carrie had gotten a text from Peter wishing her luck. It was Peter’s support that was letting her carry on her mission with confidence. A few of the Analysts were studying the iPhoto If the large building in Havana that they took on the last flight. “It’s a school for martial arts, Chief,” one Analyst told her as they waited for the plane to take off.
The analyst, Marsh, had gotten up from his seat and had shown Carrie their more detailed photo of the building. “Martial arts?” Carrie asked in alarm. “What kind of martial arts? Are they planning an attack?” Carrie wanted to know.
“We don’t know,” Marsh admitted with a shrug. But the building’s name means Fight back, he told Carrie. Carrie nodded. “Find out everything you can about the building and report back to me at the end of this mission,” she told him sternly. “Yes Ma’am,” Marsh said as he took the photo back and went back to his seat in front of the monitors.
Carrie then turned her attention to the big wall monitors in front of her as the plane announced to the control room that they were taking off. Carrie crossed her arms across her chest praying that the mission will be a success this time.
Half an hour later the plane was airborne and was starting a second journey onto Cuba. Carrie went and got herself a cup of coffee from the staff room while she waited for the plane to reach Cuba.
As she got back to the control room holding her coffee cup, Carrie watched the plane enter Cuban airspace.
She watched with satisfaction as new photos appeared on the analysts’ monitors under the big screen wall monitor. They found four new buildings and Carrie had them study what their functions were.
She breathed a sigh of relief as there was no sign of a potential threat to America. Except for the Fight Back building which Carrie was still wondering what it was for. She eagerly awaited the Analysts feedback about the building when the plane finally turned and made its way back to American airspace two hours later.
Everyone clapped as the Captain announced they were going home. Everyone except Carrie who was studying the new photos that another Analyst, Miles, pulled out for her. She and another Analyst Walker was going through the photos on her desk with her.

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Carrie was still analysing the new photos from the mission that morning at 7pm that night in her office. When five pm came round shed managed to call Peter and tell him she was going to be late and not to wait up for her.
She felt bad being late from work but she needed to figure out what this building called Fight Back was for.
As the analysts took more detailed photos from the web of the building, Carrie was able to see it was right in the middle of a terrorist camp with high fences and armed guards surrounding the building.
She knew Havana was an asylum for disgraced US citizens. Carrie wondered if that was what the building was for, housing asylums.
Looks like this warrants a little trip to Havana, Carrie thought to herself as she picked up the phone and dialled Saul’s number. He picked up on the fourth ring.
“What Is it, Carrie? I’m about to go into a meeting,” Saul told her hurriedly. “I think I have to go to Havana and investigate the Fight Back building from the ground,” Carrie told him, getting straight to the point.
“No way, Carrie. It’s too dangerous, forget it,” Saul advised her.
“Don’t worry Saul. I’ll send back up with me. We need to find out why this building has high fences and armed guards,” Carrie argued back.
How long are you going to be down there?” Saul wanted to know. “Maybe a week,” Carrie said hopefully. Saul was silent as he pondered it over. “All right, as long as you have back up. Let me put your request through to the Director of National Intelligence. I’ll let you know what they say within 48 hours,” Saul said before hanging up.
Carrie sighed with a satisfied smile on her face as she leaned back in her chair. Suddenly she felt very tired and all she wanted to do was go home to Franny and Peter.
So she gathered up her papers from her desk and placed them in her bag before leaving her darkened office, planning to spend the next 48 hours at home with quality time with her husband and daughter.

Later Peter and Carrie were enjoying a late dinner of pizza that Peter had ordered. Carrie enjoyed her ham and pineapple while Peter enjoyed his pepperoni. Franny was asleep, Peter had given her sausages and mash for dinner before watching Sponge Bob Square Pants with her and finally putting her In her bed to sleep.
Now Carrie was telling him about her Cuban fact finding mission, hoping to earn his support.
But Peter just finished his pizza slice and took a long look at her, his brow furrowed In concern. “What is it?” Carrie asked as she reached for another slice of her pizza.
“How safe do you think you’ll be?” Peter asked. Carrie could hear the worried tone In his voice. She rolled her eyes. “Peter, I’m a big girl I can look after myself,” she told him. “Besides I will have back up,” she reminded him between bites of pizza.
Peter sighed. “I know Carrie but you’ve put yourself in danger before plenty times In the past. I just worry about you,” Peter told her as he placed a comforting hand on hers.
Carrie smiled, touched by his concern. “It’s ok, Pete,” she assured him as she squeezed his hand. “I’ll be fine,” she added. Peter liked at her for a minute then nodded. Carrie finished her wine and stood up, still holding his hand. “Why do t we finish up here and go upstairs?” She suggested mischievously.
Peter grinned as he too finished his wine and stood up. “Ladies’ first,” he said with a smile before Carrie lead him to the bedroom.

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The next day which was on a Monday Carrie arrived early at her office leaving a sleeping Peter in bed. She managed to drag herself away from him and said goodbye to Franny before leaving.
She walked over to her desk and saw she had two missed calls from Saul. She sat down and punched in Saul’s number. “Saul Berenson please. It’s Carrie Mathison,” Carrie told Saul’s receptionist. “Wait one minute please,” the receptionist answered. Carrie was out on hold for a brief moment before Saul picked up the phone.
“Ah Carrie, Im glad you’re there. I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” he said. Carrie bit her lip. Saul did not sound happy like he usually did with those at the top gave him the green light for a mission.
Does that mean I can’t go? Carrie wondered with disappointment. “What’s the word, Saul?” She asked a little anxiously.
Saul took a deep breath. “I’m sorry Carrie but the Director said no,” Saul told her flatly. Carrie groaned and rubbed her temples in frustration.
“And why not?” She demanded crossly and impatiently. Saul then described to her the political budget and dangers of having her In Cuba at this time. “The mission would give Cuba the Idea that we don’t trust them,” Saul explained. “Well of course we don’t. That’s the whole point of the mission,” Carrie pointed out.
Carrie could almost see Saul shrugging. “Yes but we don’t want them to know that. I’m sorry Carrie but relations between us and Cuba are at an all time low. We need to show them they can trust us. Your mission would give them the wrong message.
I’m sorry again Carrie but my hands are tied,” Saul told her apologetically. “So what are we gonna do next?” Carrie demanded, a little more impatiently than she meant to.
She knew It wasn’t Saul’s fault and one shouldn’t shoot the messenger, but It was still so very frustrating to find out she couldn’t go on a much needed mission.
“Keep analysing the map as much you can and archive it. That’s all we can do Carrie until I can give you your new mission,” Saul told her. “Right. Thanks Saul. Speak soon,” Carrie said as she hung up the phone and sighing in disappointment. But at least I’ll get to spend more time at home with Peter and Franny, she thought as she picked up the map and began to study it once more.

To be continued
The End