Repata: A Love Story

What Matters Most

Chapter 3

What Matters Most

Reade didn't sleep well either. He just ended his relationship with his fiancé and he was hoping for another chance with Tasha. Although she told him she was in love with him, he knew Tasha and this wasn't going to be easy. She could change her mind and push him away, again. He was starting to wonder if he was thinking with his head or his heart.

Tasha arrived at work early to spend time at the punching bag. It was a great stress reliever and she also needed that time to think about what she was going to do regarding the undercover assignment. How would she tell Reade? Would she tell him? During her routine Keaton called and gave Tasha a brief but important update. "Tasha, get your go-bag ready and begin to set your affairs in order. You need to be able to leave at a moment's notice." Caught off guard, all Tasha said was "Understood." This was happening!

Reade looked for Tasha when he arrived at the FBI but didn't see her anywhere. Normally he would look for her in Patterson's lab. Or ask Patterson if she knew where Tasha was. After yesterday that was no longer an option. He was sidetracked by Kurt, Jane and Patterson regarding a message from Roman. Hank Crawford's daughter Blake was having a gala to benefit her charity in another country. Roman tipped the team that Crawford was meeting with a known terrorist at the gala. This would be their opportunity to take down the terrorist, Crawford and Roman. Reade needed to involve the US Attorney's office so he asked the team to keep digging until someone from that office came to the FBI to discuss next steps. Reade was concerned that he still hadn't seen Tasha and wondered why she wasn't in the briefing. This was more urgent and she should be at their next meeting.

Thirty minutes later an Assistant US Attorney arrived and they began to discuss the case. Still no Tasha. Then she came into SIOC looking annoyed and confused. Reade gave her a stern look because it wasn't like her to miss a briefing. He wondered if Tasha was having second thoughts about her declaration of love. It wouldn't be the first time she changed her mind about them. But again, now was not the time to discuss this. They had to figure out where Blake Crawford was having her gala. They all went off to look for clues.

Reade received a text from Patterson saying she had something, asking the team to come to her lab. Reade left his office and walked past Tasha's desk. She was sitting there doing paperwork. "Hey, are you coming?", Reade asked. Tasha had no idea what he was talking about. "Coming where? What are you talking about?" Reade was sure the old Tasha was about to show up. "Are you avoiding me Tasha?" "Are you having second thoughts about what you said in the bar?" Tasha was really lost now. "NO!! I meant every word, but please keep your voice down." Now it was Reade's turn to be confused. "We just got a text from Patterson and you're just sitting here." "Reade you know me better than anyone. If I got a text from Patterson I would already be in the lab. I didn't get one. It could be my phone." Then Reade figured it out. He looked at the text string and didn't see Tasha's name. "Patterson is excluding you from our communications. This isn't going to work and I'll speak to her today." "Calm down Reade. She's upset with me because of Borden. You can't blame her." "No Tasha. This is work and she has to be professional." "Let's go." They entered the elevator together. It was just the two of them.

To Reade's pleasant surprise (shock really), Tasha leaned over and kissed him with passion. It was only the second time they kissed. She looked in his eyes holding his hands and said, "Have you ever known me to do this in any elevator?" "I love you Reade, and I'm not going to change my mind." She smirked and said, "And you'd better not change your mind either!" Reade could only smile and say "Who are you woman and what did you do with Tasha Zapata?" Tasha released his hands and said, "I'm your woman." They stepped off the elevator and headed to the briefing.