The Gray Man Ch. 42 - Leila

The conference room at Pelican Intel was truly a marvel of Valerie Babin's love of opulence, and her husband Allen's love of cutting edge technology. Today, the center table was full.

Early autumn sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden table and sleek chairs. TJ's patience with finding his daughter, and the slow moving legal process of a merger with SSG was dwindling. For his entire life, TJ had been a soldier's soldier - in the field, deploying, on missions. The last few months being behind a desk, sitting in attorney meetings, looking at filing Initial Public Offering Paperwork was not his idea of a good time.

Yet, here he was again today, seated at the head of the table, his sharp eyes scanning the room with a mix of authority and curiosity. Flanking him were his cousin and Pelican's Legal Affairs Officer, Gretchen, Allen Babin, his friend and the financial backer of Pelican, Former CIA officer Davey Thompson, a man who had become a good friend and business partner, Isabella Mendez the teams Profiler; Rebecca Ramirez, Pelican's lead Intelligence Analyst, the Administrative genius that held it all together, Elizabeth Johnson; and the Madison Sterling, who after learning her place had become a cunning mind working within the team.

In the pre meeting gathering time and in the small talk, Davey's attention was drawn to Gretchen, whose flirtatious banter and playful innuendos had captivated him from the moment they met. He couldn't help but be drawn to her magnetic energy, her confidence and allure proving irresistible. As their eyes met across the table, a silent understanding passed between them, a connection that transcended words

Pelican's team was intermixed with the team from Strategic Solutions Group. Marcus Thomspson, a very decorated former Navy SEAL who looked the part. Graying hair, a chiseled jawline and dark brown eyes that did not miss anything. He served SSG as their Operations Chief.

Also with the SSG team was Olivia Stone, a New York City attorney who had spent time in the Prosecutor's office before being plucked to work with one of the most prestigious Wall Street firms. Olivia was as shrewd an attorney as she was beautiful. Her face looked like it could have been on the cover of a magazine, perfect nose, full lips, green eyes that matched TJ's in intensity, and chestnut curls. TJ had truly enjoyed watching the battles between Gretchen and Olivia these past couple of months.

The final member of Davey Thompson's team was Alexandria (Alex) Reynolds. Alex was a Boston native with both her bachelors and master's degrees from Harvard. Thompson brought her in from JP Morgan. Looking over her glasses with salt and pepper hair that framed her face, Gray wasn't sure if she was "librarian sexy" or just plain powerfully sexy.

Gretchen, with her fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes, leaned back in her chair, her gaze locking with Davey's across the table. There was an undeniable spark between them, a tension that crackled in the air like electricity. Davey, with his rugged good looks and easy charm, returned her gaze with a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Everyone at the table noticed the spark between the two.

"Alright everyone, let's get down to business," TJ's voice cut through the room, commanding attention with its quiet authority. "Rebecca, I need you to bring Davey and his team up to speed on our current tasks."

Rebecca, a no-nonsense woman with a sharp intellect and keen eye for detail, nodded in response. Rebecca went over the SIGINT that they were working on with members of MI-5, a HUMINT gathering operation with Germany being coordinated through Kasis. She also informed them that they were working with the ODNI to get better access to satellite intelligence over all.

She looked at her boss, "May I proceed with more items of a more personal nature?"

TJ nodded, "All cards on the table."

With practiced efficiency, she pulled up a photo of Leila, the guardian and nanny of Parisia, on the screen at the front of the room.

Rebecca paused before she pulled up a picture. "I haven't even had time to source this. It's a low angle image from our Mossad friends. As the features came into focus TJ almost slumped in his chair. "This is Parisia, TJ's daughter. We believed she is being held in a Saudi Royal Compound in the Asir Province - this photograph confirms that."

The little girl indeed had her mother's long dark hair, but Parisa's was a bit curlier. She was laughing and playing alongside other children. What drew everyone's attention were her eyes. While the photograph wasn't clear enough to see color, the paleness and the shape were dead give away that Fatima had not been lying. It was indeed TJ's daughter.

Gretchen reached out and grabbed her cousin's hand, "She's beautiful Teej."

Rebecca took a deep breath before she moved to the next image, a much clearer ID photo next to a low resolution image similar to Parisia's, "This is Leila Hassan, an Egyptian national," Rebecca began, her voice crisp and clear. "She's been tasked with caring for Parisia in the compound in Saudi Arabia." Leila comes highly recommended, with extensive training in the Egyptian Military, a top-tier education, and a background that speaks to her dedication and loyalty."

As Rebecca spoke, Madison, the newest addition to the team, watched TJ with a mixture of admiration and deference. Her heart hurt for him when she saw the longing in his eyes for his daughter. Her gaze lingered on him, drinking in every detail of his commanding presence, the way his eyes sparkled with intelligence and authority. Madison was eager to continue to prove herself in his eyes, to earn his respect and admiration, no matter the cost.

"Leila is our key. Fatima has continued to lay low, we believe, recovering from her injuries in Yemen. With Nazir captured, she has to find new ways of doing business," Rebecca continued, "If we can get to her, we can get to Parisia, if we can't get to her then we get into the difficult situation of infiltrating one of the most well guarded pieces of real estate in the world to kidnap a child."

On Wednesday evening, the autumn sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the University of Maryland track where TJ had gone for a long sprint workout. He had even purchased a set of track spikes to push himself as he pounded out a 5X400 meter workout. Run one, walk one, rinse and repeat. As he crossed the finish line and pushed the stopwatch button on his watch he looked down and saw a time of 80 seconds, 5 seconds slower than his goal. He laced his hands behind his head and stood up straight, trying to feed oxygen into his oxygen deprived body. His muscles were on fire, everything sounded like he was 15 feet underwater, and his heart pounded in his chest.

People hated the 400, but for TJ this was heaven. Forced to focus on the right now because your body demanded it. The weight and stress of the world melted away as your brain was focused on what was being demanded of your heart, lungs, muscles. His mind focused solely on the rhythm of his breathing and the steady beat of his feet against the ground.

As TJ walked the first turn his watch vibrated with the alert of a phone call. When TJ looked, he saw it was Angela. He jogged over to his phone as he answered the call, "Give me a sec," he panted, "Got you on my watch, let me get to my phone." Finally he slowed to a stop, reached for his phone with a sense of unease gnawing at the pit of his stomach.

"Hey Den Mother, What's up?" he said as best he could while catching his breath. All he heard was crying, cutting through the air all the way from California. "Angela? What's wrong? Talk to me," TJ's voice changed from friendly, to concerned, to focused in about 3 words.

"It's... it's Jesse," Angela's voice trembled with emotion, her words choked with tears. "He's... he's gone, TJ. He was in a motorcycle accident... I can't believe it..."

TJ's heart sank at the news, his mind struggling to process the sudden loss of Angela's friend. Jesse, a Marine Corp Captain, who was now stationed at Camp Pendleton, had been a part of the logistics crew with Angela and General Williams. TJ's mind flashed with the memory of Jesse, he was the jokester, the fun loving guy. He was a Marine Corp version of Goose from the original Top Gun. Piano, singing, fun loving. He was infectious with a laugh that could brighten even the darkest of days

"I'm so sorry, Angela," TJ murmured, his voice heavy with sympathy. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Just hang in there, okay? I'll call Allen, get the jet and be in the air tonight."

Angela's sobs echoed through the phone, a heartbreaking symphony of grief and loss. With a heavy heart, TJ ended the call, his mind already racing with plans to comfort his devastated friend.

His next call was to Allen, the trusted pilot and friend who always had his back. "Allen, I need the jet ready to go. Angela is in trouble and I need to be wheels up, can you make that happen?"

"Consider it done, " Allen's voice crackled over the line, his efficiency a reassuring anchor in the midst of chaos. I will have it waiting at Reagan for you in 2 hours.

With the logistics in motion, TJ's final call was to Gretchen, the fiery redhead who had been by his side through thick and thin. "Gretchen, I'm heading to California. Angela called, one of our friends, Jesse was killed in a motorcycle crash." he said simply, his voice tight with emotion.

"Where are you, Teej?" Gretchen asked.

TJ told her that he was just leaving College Park and on his way home to shower and pack.

Gretchen cautioned him, "Calm down. We don't need two accidents. I'll be there as soon as I can to get you to the airport. I'm guessing you talked with Allen."

TJ waited as his phone switched from speaker to the car before he added, "Yeah, the Honda will be at Reagan in two hours."

Gretchen whispered, "Good, so no need for you to rush. I'll meet you at the house to take you to the airport."

True to her word, Gretchen arrived at TJ's house just as he was finishing his shower, the scent of soap and steam still lingering in the air. Her expression was grave as she took in the sight of him, her eyes searching his face for signs of distress.

"Before you run off playing hero, we need to talk, Teej," Gretchen said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "There's something you need to know about Jesse and..." her voice dropped off, she knew what she was about to say would break her cousin's heart.

TJ's heart clenched at the mention of Jesse's name, his mind already bracing for the worst. "Go on?"

Gretchen hesitated for a moment, her gaze dropping to the floor before meeting TJ's eyes once more. "Jesse... he wasn't just Angela's friend," she began slowly, her words heavy with meaning. "They had gotten close when she went back to California. He wasn't just a friend to her Teej. They were a couple."

The words hit TJ like a sucker punch to the gut, his breath catching in his throat as he struggled to process the revelation. Jesse and Angela, together... it was a reality he had never even considered. He truly thought that Angela wasn't coming back to DC or to The Corp because of her parents. TJ wanted to cry or put his hand through a wall - instead he shook his head, like trying to shake off a bad dream. "Why didn't you tell me?" TJ's voice was hoarse with emotion, his heart heavy with grief.

Gretchen's eyes softened with sympathy as she reached out to grasp his hand, offering him what little comfort she could. "With everything that's been going on with Parisia, I didn't want you to be hurt," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought it would be easier for you if you didn't know..."

TJ's chest tightened with the weight of Gretchen's words, his mind swirling with a tumult of conflicting emotions. Anger, sorrow, guilt... they all threatened to consume him, leaving him reeling in their wake.

But then, as he met Gretchen's steady gaze, she opened her arms to embrace her wounded cousin. TJ shook his head, "Don't. Just don't."

Angela sighed, "What are you going to do?"

TJ shook his head, "I'm going to pack and head to California. It's what I do, Gretch."

Gretchen tried to reach out her hand to stop her cousin from going back upstairs, but TJ just pulled away and took the steps two at a time. She sat down and waited. Once he had made up his mind, there was no changing it.

The tires of Gretchen's sleek black Cadillac sedan crunched against the gravel as she pulled up to the hangar where the jet was waiting just as Allen had promised. TJ climbed out of the car without a word, his mind already a thousand miles away, consumed by thoughts of Angela, Jesse, and everything else.

Gretchen watched him go, her heart heavy with worry, before reaching for her phone to make the necessary calls. First, she dialed Allen, "I know you've heard, but we have a bigger problem."

Allen with Valerie next to him listened intently as Gretchen filled her in on the details. Allen was angry with himself that he had given use of the jet so quickly without knowing more details. Valerie was less forgiving, "That bitch doesn't deserve to have TJ with her. She betrayed him. I mean was she ever worried about her parents or was this all about Jesse all along?"

Gretchen agreed, she was not happy with TJ, but even more furious with Angela. With that call out of the way she needed to let Ana know what was happening. She had been out grocery shopping when TJ scooted home and then left without informing her. "Ana, I need you to do something for me..."

As she spoke to Ana, Gretchen's mind raced with worry for TJ, her concern growing with each passing moment. She knew how deeply he cared for Angela, how much her loss would affect him. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that gripped her heart, the fear of what he might do in his grief.

Finally, she dialed Davey Thompson, the charming and charismatic newcomer whose easy smile belied a depth of compassion and understanding that had surprised them all

"Davey, it's Gretchen," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I need to talk to you about TJ..."

As Gretchen filled Davey in on the situation, her words rushed out in a torrent of worry and fear. She told him about Angela's relationship with Jesse, about TJ's insistence on going to California despite the betrayal. She poured out her heart to him, desperate for anything.

Davey's response was immediate and decisive. "I'll hire a jet. First thing tomorrow, I'll pick up Olivia and swing around to get you and off to California we go. With TJ taking your corporate jet, I guess we just have to make do with first class. We are going to the funeral, it's the least I could do for a fallen brother.

Relief flooded through Gretchen at Davey's words and how quickly his calm presence and no bullshit attitude calmed her entire spirit. She wasn't sure why Olivia was coming along, but at the moment she didn't care.

With a sigh, TJ left the comfort of his hotel and climbed into his rental car as he set off towards Angela's house. The drive was a blur of winding roads. The open windows allowing in the warmth of the Southern California sun and the scent of sea air felt nice.

When he arrived at Angela's doorstep, the weight of grief was etched into every line of her face, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen with tears. TJ hugged her quickly. She leaned into him and sobbed against his shoulder. Without a word he had made her feel safe, she was always amazed at how just his presence made everyone feel safer.

Angela watched as TJ moved through her kitchen with a familiarity that spoke of years spent in each other's company. He had never been to her home in California, but instinctively knew where everything he needed was without asking. His movements sure and steady as he set about making coffee and preparing breakfast. The conversation between them was guarded, the air heavy with unspoken words as they sat down to eat.

Angela told her what she knew of Jesse's accident and what the plans were for the funeral as she knew them so far. His parents were making the arrangements in consultation with his teenage daughter. TJ listened and took it all in without saying much.

The conversation between them was guarded at first, the weight of their shared loss hanging heavy in the air. But as they ate, the tension eased, replaced by a sense of camaraderie born of years of friendship and shared experiences.

Finally, TJ broached the subject that had been weighing on his mind since yesterday.

"Angela, I need you to know that I know about you and Jesse," he said, his voice quiet yet firm. "I need to know what I don't know about you and Jesse."

Angela's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in shock. "How did you...?"

"Somehow, Gretchen knew. She told me yesterday before I left." Gray's voice showed no jealousy or grief. He was calm and direct which left Angela unsure.

Angela's shoulders sagged with defeat, her gaze dropping to her hands as she struggled to find the words. "Yes, TJ. Jesse and I... we were together."

TJ felt a pang of hurt and betrayal, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the woman before him, her pain etched into every line of her face.

"Why didn't you tell me, Angela?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with sadness.

Angela's eyes brimmed with tears as she met his gaze. "I didn't want to hurt you, TJ. I thought... I thought it would be easier if you didn't know." Angela paused, trying to read Gray's piercing green eyes that gave very little away. She started again, her voice tinged with sadness. "I know you're hurt. But please, just hear me out."

TJ nodded, "Go on." His facial expression made her mind race. His eyes didn't show jealousy, anger, sadness. He looked at her as if he were looking at anyone giving him a mission briefing. Waiting silently for the details.

"Jesse was... he was at Pendleton," Angela said softly, her gaze dropping to her hands as she spoke. "He was there for me, TJ. When I needed someone the most."

TJ shook his head, "You know that I would have been here had you simply asked. I would have made sure you had everything you needed at Walter Reed, but you said you needed to come home for your parents. Was it all just a fucking lie?"

Angela looked up, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt. "You were too busy worrying about Gretchen," she accused, her words sharp with resentment. "You were so busy trying to fix her that you didn't even notice that I was falling apart."

TJ was now the one getting angry, his palms slammed the table causing Angela to jump, "Bullshit! So everything you said about me needing to take care of her, that you were a Marine and this was something terrifyingly new to her was just bullshit talk for the sake of talking."

Angela's expression softened at his words, her anger melting away to reveal the raw pain that lay beneath. "I know you tried, TJ," she said softly, her voice filled with sorrow. "But it wasn't enough. Not for me, not for Gretchen. You let Underwood get to us, you allowed us to be hurt. Jesse was there for me when I was broken, unlike you."

TJ's jaw clenched with fury at the accusation, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "Don't you dare," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't you dare compare me to him."

Angela's eyes flashed with defiance, her anger rising to meet his. "Why not?" she shot back, her voice rising with each word. "At least he was there when I needed him. At least he cared enough to see past his own damn ego."

TJ felt a surge of rage boiling up inside him, his temper flaring in the face of her accusations. "You think I don't care?" he roared, his voice echoing off the walls of the empty room. "You think I'm just some heartless bastard who doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself?"