Chapter 12: Breaking Bread, Part 2

I am totally loving this brother. My mind is racing. Actually it's giving me ideas as to how we could weave our two stories together.

“What about you, Colonel? Any books or shows that you're into?”

“I like The Saga of King Olaf by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and crime dramas and thrillers. Tom Clancy is my favorite author.”

“Very interesting,” said Sister Helena. The tension between Sister Helena and Colonel Larkin remained palpable, but as the team began to share more about their interests, the tension eased.

“Aww!” said the Oversersjant.

“Though I have a soft spot for Peter Capaldi, Ncuti Gatwa, and Sylvester McCoy.”

“Let me guess, they're all Scots?” asked Colonel Larkin.

“Aye!” replied Fairbairn, beaming with national pride.

“Well,” said Sister Helen thoughtfully. “I love The Ballad of the White Horse by G. K. Chesterton and I love to read the Psalms. Though I must admit I still have a soft spot for old sci-fi novels.”

Colonel Larkin scoffed. “Sci-fi huh? Quite a jump coming from a nun and from... everything else.”

Sister Helen has suspected General Carter had told Colonel Larkin about her association with the Rogue NID, so she replied in a calm but regrettable tone:

“We all have our pasts, Colonel.” Fairbairn sensed tension again, and having not heard from the Colonel quickly asked:

“Exactly! Where is your monastery located, Sister?”

“It’s in Chahinkapa, North Dakota,” Sister Helena replied. It’s a beautiful place to reflect and atone.” The word atone hung heavy for Colonel Larkin. He tightened his jaw.

Fairbairn sensed tension brewing and introduced another light topic to ease things.

“So, what do you like to do for fun? Any favorite books or shows?”

Bjornson started first. “I'm a sucker for Tolkien. And Viking Sagas.”

“I really love poetry, especially Robert Burns. And Doctor Who, I never miss an episode!” said Fairbairn beaming.

“Doctor Who, you say?” replied Sister Helena. I remember that show! It used to come on when I was a little girl. I loved to watch it.”

“Who's your favorite Doctor?” Fairbairn asked.

“Tom Baker! They showed a lot of him over here, though I loved Tennant too.

“Aye! Baker was a good Doctor. I loved him too, though David Tennant will always be my Doctor! I had a crush on him in high school!” Fairbairn said as she blushed.

“That must have been a very special place for you,” said Fairbairn.

“It was and still is. My dad tells me that the owner’s son took over when the owner retired and never and the son has never tinkered with his father's menu or his recipes.”

“That's so cool! Where is Casa Garcia located?”

“In Katy, Texas, some 30 miles West of Houston.”

“I see,” said Fairbairn. “So, how about we share where we're from. I'm from Tweedale in Scotland about a half-hour drive southeast of Edinburgh. It's a small town but it's got a lot of charm.

“I'm from Cicero, Illinois on the South Side of Chicago. It’s a rough and noisy place but it's home,” said Colonel Larkin gruffly.

“I'm from Namsos, Norway,” said Bjornson. “It's beautiful, cold, and quiet. Perfect for strolling by the fiord or doing some fishing.

“It must be peaceful and contemplative, Oversersjant,” said Sister Helena. “Sort of like the grounds of a monastery.”