WALKING DISASTERS | Jack Thompson

30.

WHEN PEGGY TOLD Sera that Howard was okay, she couldn't help but cry. So much had happened in such a short space of time that finding out that her brother hadn't been blown to bits was just what she needed to push her over the edge. While Jack and Daniel took care of Fennhoff, Sera waited for the planes to land, and when she saw her brother emerge from the cockpit, she took off towards him.

He was surprised when she crashed into his arms and let out a sob. "Jesus, what did I do this time?"

"You're okay," she whispered. "God, I thought I was going to lose you."

"No, I'm okay," Howard promised, rubbing Sera's back soothingly. "We're both okay," he turned to Jarvis. "You were gonna shoot me out of the sky?"

"I thought that was what you would have wanted," he replied, as the three of them made their way towards Peggy.

"No," Howard said. "No, it's not. And for future reference, under no circumstance would I want anyone to shoot or otherwise hurt me. You got that?"

"Your point is amply made, sir," Jarvis replied.

"Ah, you're alright, Jarvis," Howard chuckled, hugging his butler.

"As are you, sir."

Howard turned to Peggy. "I owe you another one, pal."

"To be honest, I've stopped counting, Howard," she replied.

"What are we gonna do about this guy?" Howard asked.

"I suggest we put him in the trunk until we can find a permanent way of preventing him from speaking," Peggy said.

"What about Miss Underwood?" Jarvis asked.

"I'm afraid Dottie escaped," Peggy replied. "I'd wager we haven't seen the last of her."

Howard chuckled. "Ida. That's her name. I knew I'd remember," he tapped his temple. "Steel trap."

Sera shook her head. "You're terrible."

-

Walking into work felt different than usual, but everything was relatively the same. The only difference was that when she and Peggy walked into the bullpen, the agents started applauding for them as they walked towards their desks, shaking their hands and congratulating them.

Walking up to Jack and Daniel, Sera watched Jack place his hands on his hips. "Well... Good morning, Peggy. Sera. You're here bright and early. I assume that means you'll be staying with the SSR."

"Haven't decided, actually," Peggy replied. "We just came to pick up our pay checks."

"Well, we'll keep the desks free, just in case," Daniel said.

Jack chuckled. "They'll be back."

From behind them, a voice shouted, "Which one of you fellas is Jack Thompson?"

"That's me," Jack said, approaching the man.

"Walt Cooper," he greeted. "United States Senate."

"Walt."

"I just wanted to come down here and personally commend you for the fine work you and your team did," Walt said. "An attack on Times Square could have been a calamity, and what I hear is that you saved thousands of lives," Jack looked back at Sera, Peggy and Daniel. "The city and the country owe you a great debt. We need more men like Jack Thompson fighting for freedom and security. You're all lucky that you work for him."

"I just did what needed to be done," Jack replied.

Sera and Peggy shared a look.

"You play your cards right, son, and you could get a congressional honour out of this situation," Walt said. "The president wants to thank you himself."