Just as the last sip of coffee warmed her throat, Tara's phone buzzed sharply against the polished wood of the table, slicing through the tense stillness. She glanced at the screen and instantly softened—"Home" lit up with her husband's photo. Her eyes widened slightly.
> "Oh no," she whispered, tapping to answer. "It's already 3:30…"
She quickly stood up from her seat, moving a few steps away but still in earshot. "Hello?" Her voice changed—no longer the sharp, calculating agent but a mother. Gentle. Alert. Loving.
> "Maa! I'm back!"
The tiny, excited voice of her six-year-old son echoed from the speaker, causing Tara's face to bloom into a smile that none of the agents at HQ had ever seen on her before.
Kiaan, Dev, and Rehaan all went silent, watching her. Even Kiaan's exhausted eyes lit with a subtle warmth.
> "Arjun?" Tara beamed. "How was school, baby?"
"It was good! I did the lion roar in the school play practice! You said I should be strong like a lion, right?"
Tara's hand covered her heart as she giggled quietly, blinking away the stress for a moment. "That's my brave cub."
> "I wanna talk to your friends too! You're with uncle Kiaan, right?"
Tara turned to the boys, her eyes widening in amusement. "He remembers your names."
She handed the phone to Kiaan first. Hesitantly, he brought it to his ear, a little awkward at first. "Hey, Arjun."
> "Uncle Kiaan! Mamma says you're super serious but I think you sound cool! Did you catch the bad guy?"
Kiaan chuckled, something rare. "I did. But the bad guy got one hit on me. So I need some of your lion strength, okay?"
> "Grrr! I'm sending it now!" Arjun growled adorably on the phone.
Everyone laughed as the phone passed to Rehaan, who put on his usual swagger. "Yo, champ! Remember me?"
> "Yes! You're the funny one!"
Dev took the phone next and made a silly face while talking, causing Tara to shake her head fondly as her little boy giggled over the phone.
Finally, Tara took the call back. "Okay, baby, I'll see you tonight. Be good, and listen to Papa."
> "Okay! I love you, Maa!"
"I love you more, Arjun."
As she ended the call and slipped the phone back into her coat pocket, her smile slowly faded back into composure. But that brief glimpse into her life reminded the rest of them that beneath the files, bullets, and blood… they were still human.
Kiaan looked at her quietly.
> "You're doing a hell of a job, Tara. Balancing both worlds."
She met his gaze with steady pride. "We all are, Kiaan. In our own way."