Shadow Men – 74 – Anders and Grant

"We just got word, the Senator's been indicted on charges of treason, murder, attempted murder and just about anything else the attorney-general could find to throw at him," Steele announced gleefully.

Grant sighed in relief. "Thank God. Now we can go home."

"Yay!" Nicky practically bounced with excitement. "Now, Daddy, now?"

"Well it might help if we packed our things first," Grant told him with a laugh.

Nicky dashed to the stairs and then back again. "Anders too?"

"No."

"How come?"

"He has his own home."

"Oh." Nicky looked surprised as if that had never occurred to him. "Okay." He dashed away again.

"He doesn't, you know," Steele said.

"Yeah well, that's not my problem, is it? Can I ask a favor?" When Steele nodded, Grant said, "Can you drive us to the nearest airport or somewhere I can rent a car?"

"Sure. You really taking off immediately?"

"As soon as I'm packed if that's not a problem."

"It's not. Look, do you mind me asking what's going on with you and Anders?"

"I do, but I'll tell you anyway, nothing's going on. His job's over, now he can move on. I'm sure when he's back to normal he'll be off on some other assignment… somewhere."

Steele eyed him then nodded. "Probably. He's good at what he does."

"He is," Grant agreed tightly as he headed to the stairs. When he got to the second floor, he heard Nicky's voice coming from Rafe and Steele's room. He went to the open door and paused, a smile lighting his face. Nicky was perched on a chair by the side of the bed. From the sound of it he was telling Rafe he had to come visit as soon as he could because he had lots of toys. Rafe saw Grant at the door and grinned as he told Nicky he would try his best to if his job allowed it.

"You have to make them let you," Nicky replied, waggling a finger at Rafe. "'Cause I like you and Steele."

"We like you too, kid, so we'll try."

"Good." Nicky slid off the chair, saw Grant, and told him, "They're going to come visit too."

"I hope they do," Grant replied. "Now, go pack, please."

After Nicky dashed from the room, Rafe said, "Too?"

Grant shrugged. "He thinks Anders will but that's not happening." Before Rafe could say anything in reply, Grant told him that he and Steele were more than welcome anytime they were in the area, said his goodbyes and quickly left the room. He didn't want any more questions directed at him about Anders…by anyone.

He managed to avoid that happening, much to his relief. Even Corrie, though he could see she wanted to say something, didn't. She just told him to keep in touch, though she didn't say how, hugged Nicky tightly, and watched as they drove away.

* * * *

As the cab stopped in front of their house, Grant suddenly wondered if he really wanted to be here. Until that moment he'd been more than happy to be returning home but as he looked at the house he remembered the fact that the last time he'd seen it there had been a dead man sprawled in the middle of his living room.

What if there's still blood stains on the carpet? What if no one really did take the body away? He shuddered at that thought.

"Daddy, come on!" Nicky called out. He was already halfway up the sidewalk to the porch. With a deep sigh Grant paid the driver, gathered up their bags and followed his son.

Nicky hopped impatiently from foot to foot as he waited for Grant to open the door. Then, ignoring his father's request that he wait, he dashed inside. Grant was right behind him, praying for the best, expecting the worst. He let out a long, relieved breath when he saw there was no sign of a body or even any bloodstains.

An hour later Nicky was happily watching one of his favorite videos while Grant fixed supper. Life was back to normal. Grant knew, as he looked around while waiting for the water to boil, that he'd never forget what had happened, but in time the memory would fade until it just became a story he could tell his grandchildren. He could live with that. He hoped.