The Assassin's Code Job

DC:

In a marble hallway of a government building, Vance grabs Aria's arm to stop her from walking away. He turns her to face him:

"A... wait... Stop." Vance is dressed in his Army Class A uniform. Aria is in a suit.

"Aria... you can't do this alone." Vance has an authoritative tone that Aria is all too familiar with.

"It's okay... I got this." She touches his hand so that he will release his grip. "Really... I got this and don't

do what I know you are going to do. Resist the urge. Do not call Eliot. I'll

see you on the other side... promise." She walks away.

Vance pulls out his phone.

"Put the phone down... I haven't even left the building." Aria yells as she walks down the steps.

Vance can hear her heels clicking against the marble floor as she exits.

Later that evening at Quinn's apartment:

Aria walks into Quinn's bedroom, he is wrapped up in his sheets fast asleep. Aria watches him for a

moment from the doorway. Realizing someone is there, he wakes. He looks towards the doorway and

recognizes Aria in the shadows.

"Hey Kitten..." He rubs his eyes and taps the bed. She sits on the bed beside his hand and kicks off her

shoes. She lays back and snuggles into Quinn. He wraps his arms around her and buries his face in the

back of her hair.

"Mmmmm, Mr. Bubble and Chanel... meeting with the bosses... brings my girl unexpectedly to DC."

He props up on his arm and leans down to kiss her. He realizes that she is staring at him with an odd

expression. She reaches up and touches his face appearing lost in thoughts of her own.

"Hey...Hey... Hey... what's wrong... talk to me." He touches her face. She smiles.

"Nothing... just going to work."

"When do you have to leave?"

"Soon....I just wanted to see you." Something in her voice triggers concern in Quinn's eyes.

"Hey.... Don't lie to me Aria." She kisses him. He pulls her closer and holds her tight.

"I'm fine... going on a difficult job and have a lot on my mind... I'm okay... I promise." He taps her chin

so she opens her eyes. He gives her a knowing look.

"I promise." She snuggles into him. He pulls her close and lays his head on her shoulder. As Aria closes

her eyes, he kisses her hair and stares at the wall now lost in his own thoughts.

Outside Brewpub in Portland:

Vance and Sherry show up unexpectedly in Portland. Eliot is pulling up to the brewpub. Vance is leaning

on the hood of his car. Sherry is propped up on the banister.

Eliot parks his car and acknowledges his old friends a bit confused as to why they are paying an

unexpected visit.

"Vance, Sherry?" Eliot walks up to him. "What's up Colonel?"

"It's Aria." Eliot's face expression instantly turns to deep concern.