Carter's Duty - 23. Chapter 23

Chapter Twenty-Three

The plane had landed, and the three friends had disembarked into the airport. And Will realized with a start that for the first time in nearly eight years he was home. They were still in the terminal, but it was England. He was home.

He stood with his shoulders slumped staring out of a window at the rain-soaked world beyond. So many years of living abroad, so much time, so much of his life had just slipped by him that to actually be there again was surreal.

"This is it," Andrew said standing beside him with his hands in his pockets. "The end of the road."

Will turned, his eyes welling up as he tried to keep from breaking down in the airport. "You know I have to do this..." he said firmly.

"Why?" Andrew said staring at him. "To do what? You took this job to help me through University, but what now? You're five thousand miles away from home, and why? Because you think this is what I want?"

Will set his bag down, watching as Brody commandeered a payphone and started to make calls behind them. "We need the money Andrew, I can't say no..."

"You can," Andrew said firmly.

"Or I can."

"What do you mean?" Will said looking at the man he loved, the man he had traveled five thousand miles to support, the man who had come after him...

Andrew's eyes were red and swollen, as a tear ran down his face. "Some times two people who are in love don't realize when they are hurting each other. You've put your own life on hold for me, and... I never wanted you to do that. I can't let you put your dreams on hold for me. I love you too much for that."

"But..." Will began, struggling for words.

"No buts," Andrew said sadly. "I can't let you put me ahead of your own life any more, not like this. But you're going to keep doing it as long as we're together."

Will swallowed. "I know..." he said softly. It had been said at long last, admitted. He'd put Andrew first, ahead of his own needs and as time ground on he had begun to resent Andrew for it. It didn't change the love he felt, but it tainted it. It soured the things he felt, the purity of the emotions.

He reached out and drew Andrew tightly in an embrace; both knowing all too well it was the end. Finally, they had both admitted it.

Andrew drew back, wiping his eyes as he looked around. "I have to figure out how to buy a ticket home... I should..."

Will nodded as Andrew started off, watching him bob through the crowd. He watched him go, feeling the distance grow between them with every step. Andrew looked back once, just for a second. He looked... annoyed. Like he was waiting for Will to run after him. Like he expected Will to figure out the puzzle. But Will just stood there, holding his bag, watching him leave.

Brody was watching him with concerned eyes, holding up the phone and gesturing for Will to take it.

"Hello?" Will stated, staring after Andrew, swallowing back his emotion.

"Mister Carter," Robert Avery's voice was a surprise, and Will glanced at Brody in surprise. "I understand that you are considering taking a job in the United Kingdom."

"You could say that," Will replied glancing about him at the airport.

"I'd like to make you a counter offer," Avery said confidently. "One a little closer to home."

Will turned to the phone and rested a hand on top of it. "I'm sorry what?"

"I need a director of Human Resources for my Toronto office, and after meeting you and looking over your resume, I think you are the man I need for that post."

"I..." Will said in surprise. "I don't know what to say."

"Say yes Mister Carter," Avery said firmly. "You start Monday, our offices are located on Bay Street..."

Will jotted down the address in stunned silence. He looked at Brody. Brody was grinning, looking entirely too pleased with himself. But Will looked down at the note in his hand. Brody might have made the call, but Avery had said 'after meeting you.' Avery had seen something in Will at the wedding. He had seen the way Will managed the chaos, the way he spun the narrative for Lisa.

Brody had opened the door, but Will realized with a jolt of clarity that he had been the one to walk through it.

He finally said good-bye and hung up the phone. He shook his head. "How?"

Brody smiled. "I have mad skills." He clapped a hand on Will's shoulder. "It's still going to be a move for you, but Toronto's not that far away."

Will glanced in the direction Andrew had gone. He saw him leaning against a pillar near the ticket counter, not buying a ticket. Just watching. Waiting.

It was good news, but it didn't change the work they had to do. It would be the career opportunity of a lifetime, but with Andrew still in school... They both had different dreams. Will had the chance of a career and a new life... and Andrew had his own future.

But Toronto wasn't London. Toronto was an hour's flight. Toronto was a weekend drive.

Will looked at Andrew across the terminal. Andrew wasn't leaving. He was waiting for Will to stop being a martyr and start being a partner.

Will swallowed. For the time being at least, they could look forward to a flight back to Canada together.

***

2025

A cough caused Will to come out of his memories, turning to look up at the older, wiser man that stood in the doorway.

Andrew Carter, the long suffering, eternally patient man leaned in the door looking over at his husband of over twenty years. Sighing and shaking his head.

“You always were a day dreamer Carter,” He mused.

Fine lines hadn't changed those all Canadian looks, he'd kept the weight off unlike Will who always complained that as a Politician he never had time to work out. He was still the same, just improved upon by time, handsome, self confident and strong. Ever brave, a good father and a loving man.

“I ever tell you how lucky I have been you never ran off with that woman?” Will mused.

Andrew barked out a laugh, “Woman, what Jeff's sister from years ago?” he shook his head. “You are the dumbest smart person I have ever met, Carter. What's brought that shambling out of the darkest closet you own?” He walked across and wrapped his arms around Will as he rose to meet him. “No woman could compete with you, ever.” he shuddered, “I mean come on, I'd probably have less grey hairs, and ninety percent of the melodrama you've put me through the past god knows how many years... Oh and one less kid, well two if you count your other Sprog... and my blood pressure would probably be lower... now that you mention it, maybe we should give Jeff a call and get her number...”

Will gave his husband a level look, “Divorce lawyers at Dawn Mister Carter?”

Andrew inclined his head, “Mister Carter I couldn't afford your lawyers, and you'd get the children... please... you are the only one of the two of us that can afford Jacob and Tommy's university bills...”

“Hell no,” William retorted. “I am taking you for every penny you don't have, and I am getting your car.” He sighed. “I was an idiot when I was younger...”

“Was,” Andrew snorted. “Carter you're my idiot. Now are you ready to go? This office smells like old fossils and parchment, and I am taking you for a walk down the canal, only date I can afford on my salary. I couldn't convince you to talk to the finance minister about a raise for CSIS agents could I?”

Will reached out and grabbed his jacket, “Conflict of interests, Mister Carter. Can't be seen to play favourites.”

They walked from the office together, back to their wonderfully messy, overly complicated lives.