That did what it was intended to do.
She did laugh.
“Thanks, I think.”
Kate smiled.
“I’m not Axelle, and I need to know we can do this together. See, there may be two positions, but they act as one. We are the FBI. We’ve had very different careers, working very different things, but we balance.”
Elizabeth relaxed.
“I don’t want to fight you, Kate, but I handle some crazy-ass shit. I can’t be leashed. It risks this country.”
She was aware.
“Gabe said. He vetted me in onThe Hunters, and how you lead them. Carry on, bestie. You and I are going to be tag team partners in this, and hopefully, we’ll be friends. We can’t do this alone, Elizabeth. The men in this town are betting against us.Axelle hit the glass ceiling. She didn’t break through it. I intend to do that so the next generation of women don’t have to carry the weight on their shoulders.”
Elizabeth stared at her.
“Do you mean that? Because I can’t butt heads against you, Kate. I’m tired. I’m older, and I’m afraid I’m losing my edge. He got away.”
Kate put away the job and just became the friend.
“Well, want my opinion?”
She nodded.
“You’re not losing your edge. You’re at the top of your game. You took down a Russian spy who was going to kill you. That’s not easy. You are smart, you’re wise, and you’re no match for a lot of people due to your skills. I’ve seen your file—what is in my classified reach?” she said. “On top of all of that, you were recruited. You’re a cunning linguist.”
Raphael didn’t miss a beat.
“That’s what she said,” he joked. “The victims being Ethan, Callen, Chris, and we suspect Gene.”
She snorted.
Only, Kate continued.
“We got this, and when I retire in thirty years, I want the world to remember us. Elizabeth Blackhawk, you’re at the top of your game, and I want to learn from you.”
She was honest.
“Kate, you’re already there. I watched how you protected those children, mine included. I watched how you neutered those senators to make them pay. You don’t need to learn from me. You’re already there. Gabe asked me who I thought could do the job, and you were the one I said could. I believe in you.”
She put her hand over Elizabeth’s.
“And, bestie, I believe in you. Let’s show this town how it’s done. Fuck the patriarchy.”
The men gasped.
“I feel threatened,” Raphael said. “As a gay man who also likes fucking the patriarchy, I protest.”
That amused Kate.
“You in?” she asked.
Elizabeth nodded.
“Thank you, Kate. Bear with me while I handle this. Normally, I have it under control. I’m just tired.”
