I was awoken by a voice the next morning.

"Ms. Charmicahl." Came the hard whispered voice. Climbing out of the fort, which had magically stayed up, I came face to face with Mr. Woods. He was freshly showered, dressed in a black button up shirt and white slacks, He had black dress boots on his feet. And a scowl upon his lips.

"Y-yes Mr. woods?" He crossed his arms as I rubbed my calf with my foot, aware that I was in booty shorts and a blank tank top with hair probably as puffy as hair gets on a tramp.

"What are you doing?" He questioned.

"Well I was sleeping, but-" He growled and pulled me by the arm to the kitchen.

"I mean, why are my children not in their rooms, where it's safe!?" He asked, nearly shouting.

"Oh. Well sir, they were scared that you had not yet returned and sought comfort from me."

"I see and why on earth would you build a fort in the middle of the living room where the bad guys can get to you faster."

"Well sir, I-"

"Did you not think to have a guard up there with you?"

"No sir I didn't. I acted without thinking, but I was just doing what my mother used to do with me when-" I stopped and chewed my lip. He did not know anything about my past and I did not know if I wanted him to know.

"When what?" He asked, leaning against the counter. I bit my lip some more and then looked at the floor as I told hm

"When my father walked out on my mother and I, sir." I said so quietly I didn't think he had heard me. But when I looked, I saw him looking at me. Really looking at me. His eyes are soft and a frown on his lips. He could be so difficult sometimes, treating me as the help, and the next treating me as part of the family, a friend even.

"I'm sorry Ms Charmichal."

"It's alright."

"No, no it's not. I think we need to sit down and do some talking, I feel like I do not know anything about you."

"That is not necessary Mr. W-" He held up a hand and I fell silent

"Please, I want to. Let's have dinner tomorrow night. The children will be fine here on their own." With that he left without giving me a chance to reply. I sat down in the chair and put my head into my hands and cried. Why? I do not know. Not wanting the children to see me crying, I sobered up and started the coffee before going up the stairs. As I was going up , the children greeted me with highfives. I wondered why they were up so early but then I remembered that it was only Wednesday , they still had school. Which meant that I was back to the quietness of the home, but it would be a great way to collect my thoughts.

I changed into black skinny jeans and a white T-shirt. Looking into the mirror, I snickered at my appearance. My hair was like Anna's from Frozen when she woke up for the coronation. How did Mr. Woods keep a straight face? I pulled my hair into a ponytail, then I went downstairs and made their cold lunches that they took on Wednesdays. Ashley and Cole had turkey with swiss. Jimmy had to have his ham with cheddar cheese in separate bags because he didn't like when it got soggy. Each got a nectarine as well as a slice of dill pickle. A handful of chips and store bought chips. Placing them into their individual lunch bags, I began making breakfast. After making them toast and eggs, Mr. Woods came into the kitchen and like normal, I went upstairs. Mr. Woods did not try to stop me nor talk to me and I did not mind. As I read my poem I wondered why he had invited me to dinner yesterday. Was he trying to compare me to Nikki? Did he feel bad about the occurrence that had happened earlier? Whatever the reason I couldn't dwell on it, it was over and I'd probably never he asked again to help with an assignment nor dinner with the family. What I was most scared about was the stupid dinner tomorrow. I wondered if after learning more about me if he would want such a sad soul around.

I finished my poem and went into the quiet kitchen, soft voices coming from the living room, soothing as I washed and dried them. After the children collected me, I walked them out the door to the SUV.

"Thanks for last night Jenney." Ashley whispered.

"You're welcome." I said with a wink.

"When can we do it again?" Cole asked

"I-I don't know, probably when your father next leaves." I said.

"Maybe we can fake a business trp for him." Jimmy said

"No dummy, remember were, well dad is hiding from the bad guys." Ashley said as she smacked Jimmy upside the head.

"Ow! Jenney!." He whined.

"Now, now you guys be nice. I'm sure we will be able to do it again, I will just have to ask.O kay?"

"Okay." With one last wave, they were gone. I went back inside, climbed the stairs and poured myself some coffee. Then I went upstairs to put the fort away only to see that it had been taken down and the living room was returned to normal which was nice because then it was easier to dust. I cleaned the bookshelves and the windowsills. Then I grabbed a rag and stepladder and started to wash the windows.

"Ms. Charmichael?" Turning around I saw Mr. Woods leaning against the door frame. I wonder how long he's been there for

"Yes Mr. Woods?"

"I-I want to talk about yesterday."

"What about it?" I said with a shrug as he peeled away from the door frame and walked towards me then sat down on the chair and motioned to the other one. I climbed down and sat on the edge of it.

"I'm sorry if inviting you to dinner was awkward."

"Why would it be awkward?"

"Well because Niki is Niki. Full of herself and rude. And I don't think she was prepared to have you there, nor were you prepared and I apologize."

"It's all right but I do have to ask, why did you invite me?"

"Well I suppose because I felt guilty." He said as worry creases showed between his eyebrows.

"Guilty about what?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"I put you through something that you are not ready for."

"You're right, I was not ready for it. I wish you would have warned me."

"Well I would have, but I did not think you could fake it very well." The nerve of him! How rude, I bet I could fake it very well.

Well I'm sorry that you thought that." I said as I began to study my nails. He shifted in the chair.

"There is one little thing. Even though you said no, that you do not want to do any more assignments, I do have to ask. What if I paid you and taught you how to use a gun, how to fight, would you help me again?" WHAT!? He still wanted me to help even though I told him no? I thought. The minutes ticked by as I continued to stare at him. He cleared his throat and rose, pacing the length of the floor.

"I don't know sir. I finally said "You've never needed me before to help you with an assignment, why now?

"Fair question. I am gathering more intel to be able to take down those who are trying to harm us and capture me. Both the CIA and FBI. These new assignments require two people." He paused trying to gauge my thoughts. I didn't give in.

"Go on."

"Without being able to get resources, and other people, I am forced to use you." He looked at me when he said forced. Anger boiled in my veins

"I didn't ask for this life, I didn't ask for you to save me!" I rose to my feet "Yes I said I owe you my life, but this is beyond me I'm not trained like you are!" Mr. Woods now had an amused look on his face. I crossed my arms in annoyance.

"No, I did not have to save you but you were hurt and left to die by that damned husband of yours." He said with a growl, taking a breath, he continued. "I asked you to help because even though I can use one informant that knows of me, and will not tell my secret, I chose you because I wanted to. I did it because I knew you would be great." He began to come closer. "I thought of you because I felt like it was time to start treating you not as the help but more like a human being. One that was trying to protect herself and my children." He ended with a sigh. I put my arms down and let them hang as well as my head trying to wrap my head around it all. Without me realizing it right away, my head was being lifted and with watery eyes, I looked into eyes of soft green velvet.