So this is a co-write between myself and xfilesguy123. It's apolitical thriller set in the future and gives a new spin on TSL characters. The idea just kind of came to us. We have no intention of bashing anyone's politics. This will not criticize one party or the other. Hope you all enjoy this and have fun watching as the story develops. Please review so we can know whether to throw in more politics or tone it down.

THICKER THEN WATER

Chapter 1 Two Brothers

June 1st, 2035

Portland, Oregon

The convoy made it's way through the pouring rain. The limo was tucked in snuggly in the middle. It was surrounded by black SUV's and local police vehicles. President Cody Martin sighed as looked out into the rain soaked night. He had just given a speech about the recent initiation of a new anti-terrorism policy and a new anti-terrorism agency. Both the policy and the agency was causing quite a stir.

Cody turned to his Nation Security Advisor, John Winters.

"So you think the media will crucify me now or later?" asked Cody as he poured himself a drink.

"Do you want my honest opinion?" asked Winters.

"I wouldn't ask you if I didn't," replied Cody.

"I think you're giving the right wing commentators more fuel for the fire," explained Winters.

"Like they need help with that. Ever since I switched over most of our cars to run on ethanol I've been hated by the big oil companies," exclaimed Cody.

"But loved by hippies everywhere," added Winters. Both he and Cody chuckled. They rode in silence for a few more minutes. Cody still had a hard time believing that he was the ruler of the free world. Only two years into his presidency and people were comparing him to the likes of Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Kennedy. Cody had made it his goal to bring America back to a place where it was rightfully the world's number one superpower. He had negotiated peace between two warring middle east countries, was working on a new immigration policy , and had successfully converted most fuel efficient cars to ethanol and natural gases. Now entering the third year of his first term Cody was getting ready to put in a controversial anti-terrorism policy. In the past ten years, American/Russian relations had come to a boil. Thanks to two gung-ho presidents, America and Russia had been on the brink of war over a minor conflict in Mongolia. Mongolian militants had bombed an American base in Mongolia and the president authorized a covert mission to track the militants across Russian borders. Russia was not at all pleased when they found out. Fast forward to the next president and Russia finds out that the military was authorized to stage war games on the Russian border. Soon after Russia was making threats and it was the cold war all over again. When Russian militants blew up a building in downtown Baltimore, the war became official. Cody had been a senator at the time and couldn't do much to solve the problem.

By the time he was elected president, the second Cold War was well underway. Russia had been testing several new nuclear weapons and America was crying for an invasion. Troops had been stationed on the Russian border in China and Mongolia and war seemed imminent. Cody however negotiated a temporary treaty and focused on an issue he felt had more weight, oil concerns. It took only eighteen months for America to switch over to ethanol and natural gases. However that didn't stop a string of Russian terrorist cells from waging war in America. The CIA and NSA were doing their best but the death toll was still rising. Cody's new policy was putting a new agency in play that would help give America more security. This new agency could do things the CIA and NSA couldn't do. They had a better intelligence fund and had stations all over the world. They could track the terrorists with ease. If the militants and separatists were stopped, Cody could bring his troops home. At least that was the plan.

……………

Air Force One was the most secure aircraft in the world. If need be, the president could run the country from Air Force One. It was virtually impenetrable. But that didn't make Senior Secret Service agent James Corwin any less tense. It was his job to protect the president and his family. And with that job came a high level of paranoia. Whether the president was in Moscow, London, or Portland, Jim had to be on his guard at all times.

Jim yawned as the convoy arrived. The other agents jumped into action as they held back the press that had gathered around the plane. Jim stepped forward and headed towards the limo. Winters got out first, followed by Cody. The press and a handful of spectators went nuts. Cody smiled and waved to the crowd as he headed towards the plane.

"Mr. President, a quote please."

"Mr. President, do you think this agency will satisfy your critics?"

"Mr. President, any truth to the rumor that China has allied with Russia?" Cody ignored the questions and entered the plane. Jim and Winters followed close behind.

"Any word from my family?" asked Cody.

"They just left the theater. They should be here soon," replied Winters.

"Did they like the play?" asked Cody as he headed towards his office.

"From what I hear Charlie fell asleep," answered Jim with a chuckle. Cody couldn't help but smile.

"Mr. President, we should consider calling a meeting of the minds as soon as possible. This new policy is going to cause quite a stir in Washington," warned Winters. Cody nodded. Jim went off to deal with some basic security issues as Winters stayed behind with Cody.

"We can have that meeting when we're in the air. Right now I just want to relax," explained Cody. Winters cleared his throat.

"Whatever you want to say, John, just say it," exclaimed Cody as he sat down at his desk. Winters closed the office door so they could have some privacy.

"Mr. President, we've been friends for years. I've been your advisor since you were elected to senate," began Winters.

"At the sacrifice of your own political career," added Cody. "I am eternally grateful for that." Winters smiled and sat down.

"I'm talking as a friend now, sir," continued Winters. Cody nodded.

"We don't have to greenlight this new agency. We can wait a couple of years. The situation with Russia is already critical. Creating a organization based solely on espionage against them could lead to war instead of preventing it," explained Winters. Cody smiled and leaned back in his seat.

"John, I know how you feel. Believe me I have thought this thing through. But these terrorists are finding ways around our intel. They're killing innocent civilians. I can't let that keep happening," replied Cody. Winters sighed.

"I lost people I love when my home was bombed," added Cody.

"That was years ago, Cody. Back when communism fell. The fallen leaders took their hate out on the world," exclaimed Winters.

"And people I loved died. All because some country couldn't keep track of their own people. I won't let these people win. I will do whatever it takes to ensure our country is safe," replied Cody. Winters sighed. He hoped to God it would end up that way. Because this new agency was going to piss off a lot of people. Both foreign and domestic. And God only knew what some of them would do.

Rock Valley, Maryland

Zack Martin sighed as the next door neighbors continued to go for each others throats. Zack rolled over in bed and held his pillow on top of his head. His wife Maddie sat up next to him and groaned.

"Zack, you can't let him keep beating her up," exclaimed Maddie.

"Not much I can do," replied Zack. Maddie lightly punched her husband on the arm.

"OW," he groaned sleepily.

"Zack, you know damn well you can stop him," growled Maddie. She jumped as some glass broke. Something bad was going to happen very soon. Zack and Maddie's kids were up and moving around in the hall. They were no doubt fascinated by the huge blow out that was just seconds away.

"Zack, I don't want the kids to watch him do something to her," exclaimed Maddie.

"That's what we have cops for," muttered Zack. Maddie, now frustrated with her husband, jumped out of bed and yanked the covers off Zack. Zack moaned and tried to ignore her.

"Go stop him," ordered Maddie. Zack groaned but finally got out of bed. He hated having to solve other people's problems. Just because he was in the army people expected him to be a hero.

Zack found his oldest son, Ben, peering through the living room curtains, watching as the Leonard's went at it. Fred Leonard was no doubt boozed up to his eyeballs and poor Mabel was trying to endure his fury.

"Ben, stop snooping," snapped Zack as he pulled Ben away from the window.

"Kind of hard not to," muttered Ben as Zack headed outside. Fred was screaming at Mabel and threatening to knock her skull in. He turned his attention to Zack as soon as he saw him.

"This ain't concern you," growled Fred. His speech was slurred and he swayed a little. Zack stopped walking when he was about five feet away from Fred.

"My family is trying to sleep, Freddie. I'd appreciate it if you would shut the hell up," exclaimed Zack. Fred spat on the ground by Zack's feet. Neighbors were standing on their lawns and watching. Ben had come outside as well.

"Fred, I'm going to ask you one more time to stop," warned Zack. Fred spit again and came charging at Zack, his fist extended. Zack stepped to the side and grabbed Fred's arm. He then gave it a quick twist that shattered the bone in three different places. Fred yelled as Zack landed a sharp kick to his ribs. Fred fell to the ground, completely immobilized. The entire fight had taken less then seven seconds. The cops arrived just as Zack started walking back to his house. Sheriff Bill Crawford shook his head when he saw ol' Fred lying on the ground, nursing his broken arm.

"I told you that drinking would come back to get you," exclaimed Crawford as two deputies helped Fred to his feet.

"That jerk off Martin assaulted me," snapped Fred.

"No, Fred, my guess is he was saving Mabel from your drunken wrath. This is strike three, pal. I can't get you of jail time now," warned Crawford. Fred swore his head off as he was led away. Crawford sighed and headed towards the Martin house.

Ben Martin greeted Crawford warmly as he let Crawford into the house.

"Dad, will be right back. He went to get something to drink," explained Ben as he closed the door.

"No problem," replied Crawford.

"You want a beer, Bill?" asked Zack from the kitchen.

"No thanks, Zack," answered Crawford. Maddie came down the stairs at that second, followed by her two youngest, Ethan and Ellie.

"Evening, Bill," greeted Maddie. Zack came into the living room, drinking a beer.

"You do know that stuff leads to what just happened?" asked Crawford.

"It's just to calm my nerves," replied Zack.

"Nerves! You kicked ass Dad!" exclaimed Ben.

"BEN!" scolded Zack and Maddie in unison. Ethan and Ellie snickered as Ben stuck out his bottom lip and mocked a sad puppy. Zack rolled his eyes.

"So you OK?" asked Crawford, turning towards Zack.

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" asked Zack. Crawford shrugged.

"Maybe you sprained a muscle," offered Crawford.

"You're funny, Bill. How's Fred?" asked Zack.

"He'll live. Hopefully now he's learned his lesson," replied Crawford. Zack nodded.
"Thanks for helping Mabel. God knows she needs someone to step in," exclaimed Crawford.

"I don't think Fred will be doing anything to her for a long time. Possibly never again," exclaimed Zack.

"We can only hope," replied Crawford. There were a few moments of silence.

"Well, I better go talk to Fred some more. Thanks for your help tonight, Zack," exclaimed Crawford as he headed for the door. "Maddie, always nice to see you."

"Take care, Bill," replied Maddie. Maddie herded the kids back to bed as Zack walked Crawford out. A deputy was talking with Mabel and making sure she was OK. Mabel waved at Zack and mouthed a thank you. Zack nodded and smiled.

"Zack, I want to talk to you about something," exclaimed Crawford as he stepped off the Martin's porch.

"I'm listening," answered Zack.

"I'm looking for a new deputy. With your service record you're more then qualified. It will beat the hell out of the construction job," offered Crawford. Zack sighed. He had considered joining the Rock Falls PD for several months now.

"I don't know, Bill. I got a good gig over at the company right now," began Zack.

"But you're bored there a lot," interrupted Crawford. Zack didn't answer.

"Think it over, buddy. I'm just asking," concluded Crawford. Zack nodded. He and Crawford shook hands and then Crawford headed for his car. Zack sighed and went back into his house.