Max felt terrible hiding the truth from her.  She had no choice in order to ensure the success of the sting.  Many lives are at stake.  The less people involved, the more credible the leak becomes.  Mentally, she asked whether time and age made her any wiser.  Did she do the right thing by getting them involved?  The short time she spent with them made her realized the important of having family around. 

“Maybe it’s time I retire.” The elder woman addressed the statement to herself.  She had aged considerably.  She had also changed and wanted out.  The Black Widow captured is her ticket out of the organization.  She must succeed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bette was lying awake in pitched darkness.  She doesn’t sleep much anymore. She took refuge in the familiar elements and it felt reassuring.  Darkness has always been her best source of comfort and security against emotional turmoil.  She could feel her composure returned against the backdrop of darkness.  She knew it was a mistake to, even have that miniscule of a reaction. It was a fleeting disturbance not too often surfaced.  She submerged and drowned it out in the shadow and quietness of the night.

She emptied all thoughts inside the sanctuary of her sound and lightproof room.  The place was especially design with soundproof walls and light filtering windows at a touch of a button.  It’s her first line of defense, a security measure used to discourage unwanted visitor from setting foot inside her adobe.  She had a few other effective means, which luckily, has not been utilized.  All was peace and quiet in her world.

Bette found herself behind the wheel of her beloved blue Saab.  She glanced over at the passenger seat and smile approvingly at the gift basket she had ordered.  It was scheduled for delivery this afternoon but Bette changed her mind and settled on a personal delivery.  A meaningful gesture that’ll show her appreciation and affection for her baby and their baby. 

Her partner of five years was expecting their first child.  Bette felt elated and grateful for the gift bestowed upon her family.  Even though she had a terrible day at work, it paled in comparison to the happiness of her family.  She took a half day off work to surprise and plan to spend the rest of the day pampering her wife.  Bette knew she would surely be delight by her romantic effort.  The grin attached on Bette’s face the entire drive home.