Declassified

Declassified Part 83 Going Back to Normal

      "Do you want us to stop anywhere on the way home?"

      Alex could tell that Andy was asking Thalia but he spoke up anyway. "Despite the chocolate all over her face I think she'd like to pick something up to eat."

      "I do not have chocolate on my face." Thalia protested, licking her lips just in case. "I don't need to stop anywhere. I have a whole bag of candy, and some cookies from the plane."

      Dan shrugged, taking her at her word. "So how did you blow yourself up?" He asked, checking the rear view mirror. "Did you put a burrito in the microwave too long?"

      Alex exchanged a look with Thalia, trying to decide how much they should share.

      "It was just a miscommunication." Thalia explained, shrugging as if it wasn't a big deal. "I said 'I love you.' Alex heard 'blow up the building.'"

      "That's not exactly true." Alex laughed. "You said 'gun' and 'leaking gas', which I logically assumed meant shoot the gas tanks."

      "You shot a gas tank?" Dan repeated incredulously. "Even I know that's a bad idea."

      "I know shooting a gas tank is a bad idea." Alex insisted. "But it—" He shrugged. "I figured Thalia must have had a good reason for asking me to do that."

      "But I didn't ask you to do that. You just misunderstood." Thalia insisted. She leaned forward, putting a small hand on Andy's shoulder. "I thought that maybe we could take a sign language class together, Andy." She said, smiling at him. "I thought it would be fun to try, plus it could be a subtle way for you to communicate with people, you know?"

      Andy didn't say anything for a moment, clearly uncertain.

      "No pressure." Thalia sat back in her seat, her hand finding Alex's. "I thought, you, me, Alex, Lily, maybe Dan—we could sign up and then you could see how you felt before each class, and go if you felt up to it."

      Andy nodded, seeming to consider her offer, which made Alex smile. The fact that he was even thinking about, and hadn't tightened up at her touch were both huge accomplishments for Andy. Alex still couldn't get over the change his brother has undergone. He knew the medication was likely helping, but he also knew Thalia played a role in things as well.

      "You don't have to decide right now." Thalia told him. "I think Alex and I are going to take it either way." She smiled at Alex, her eyes lighting up in excitement. "It'll cut down on miscommunication on future missions."

      "Are you going to go back?" Dan asked, raising his eyebrows as he pulled into the driveway.

      "I think so." Thalia looked at Alex as they got out of the car. "I was thinking that I could go back in between medical trials. Obviously my primary job is in the lab, but if I can manage it I was hoping to go with you on missions every once in a while." She must have sensed Alex's reluctance as they went up the driveway because suddenly her smile disappeared, her voice hushed. "I mean, I know I'm not a perfect spy, Alex, but I think I did okay. I should have figured out the virus sooner, but I—"

      "No, you did a great job, Thal." Alex conceded, holding the front door for her. "It's not that. You did exactly what you should have done." He offered her a halfhearted smile. "Explosions notwithstanding."

      "But...?"

      Alex sighed, petting Thor who enthusiastically greeted them. "I just don't know if it's a good idea for you to go back." He glanced at his girlfriend, seeing the hurt on her face. "I promise, it's not you, Thalia."