This is, of course, not the first time he has met her. While the word frequent may have been a stretch, her visits to David Palmer during his time as President had accustomed Aaron to her.
No, it's not the first time he's met her; nor is it the first time he's talked to her. They've exchanged warm greetings before; enough so that Martha knows about his son, and he knows enough to ask about the horses she's rehabbing. They are not overly familiar, but they come naturally, these moments between them. Aaron admires her confidence; the ability she has to walk into the room with grace and ease. She notes his stoicism; his quiet observance.
David, of course, prizes them both – as friends, even.
So, when the time comes to officially take over the protective detail for Charles Logan, they greet each other happily. His introduction to President Logan goes as it should. A stiff greeting, a nod on Aaron's part, and a "thank you for this service." When Aaron moves past the President, Martha surprises him.
"Aaron!" The exclamation is happy, the smile genuine as she meets his eyes. She ignores the extended hand, pulling him in for a hug. "I'm – we're – we're so glad you stayed on. It will be nice to have a familiar face here with us."
He is so rarely flustered; his job has prepared him for every situation, but now, here, he feels the flush creep up his neck. He internally thanks the high collar of the suit for masking it, before pulling back and meeting her gaze again. "Of course, ma'am." He says it calmly, in his usual reserved tone, but he can't resist breaking for a moment, with a grin aimed her way, before he steps back and behind the President.
It will be nice, he thinks, to already know the First Lady.
His job, of course, means that he doesn't directly protect the President at all times. Being The Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division takes him away from direct contact at times – he is in charge of planning far ahead. He plans the agents that will protect Logan; the agents that will protect Martha at all times.
He is often able to be a part of the actual protective detail; preferring to be both in charge, and on duty. In particular, he tries to be at all events; and their first large event out of the White House is no exception. He has assigned himself to the President, and Jacobs as first in line to the First Lady. They are an hour out when he hears the news in his ear.
"Sir, Jacobs is –" The agent pauses, clearing his throat.
"What is it, Stevens.?" Aaron barks the question into the device on his wrist, his annoyance evident. This is the first series of outside events in this Presidency, and he doesn't have time for any chit chat.
"Jacobs is green, sir. Or, I should say. Jacobs can't stop throwing up. He's in the bathroom now, again. "
Aaron curses underneath his breath, already moving towards her dressing room. His mind races, drilling through agents' names and assignments as he mentally shuffles people around. In the short walk, his plan is formed.
His gruff voice gives the command to the young agent. "Jacobs, go home." When Jacobs begins to protest, his response is swift. "What use are you tonight, Jacobs? Go home. We'll deal with this in the morning." He is being harsh, he knows; in the light of morning, he will be more sympathetic, but now, his stress is high. Aaron is aware that Jacobs is a good agent, who would have stuck it out, had Stevens not ratted him out. He watches Jacobs slink down the hallway while he lifts his wrist to his mouth.
"Ruiz, please report." He motions towards Stevens, gesturing for the agent to come over. "We're changing assignments. You'll be primary on the President, running with Ruiz. Brown will be your immediate backup."
"I guess I'll run alone as primary for the First Lady." Stevens starts to question him, his mouth opening before Aaron quickly interrupts.
"You two have the experience, and can be the immediates. If I stay with Mrs. Logan, I can take in the whole picture better, and alert you to any changes that need made at the last minute."
Stevens nods, reassured, and Aaron repeats the commands into his wrist piece.
By the time the President emerges, Ruiz and Brown have shown up, and Aaron has finished shuffling the agents. He quickly informs the Commander in Chief of the changes, while Charles apologizes to him.
"It's – it's Martha. She's in there, fussing over her hair, her makeup. She'll be out, I'm sure, eventually but I can't sit around and wait much longer." Aaron nods, letting the man ramble on as he walks away; agents in tow.
Five minutes pass, then ten, and he silently stands, checking his watch periodically while the agents update him on POTUS' moves.
Martha rushes out of the room, flustered, aide rushing behind her, as she slips on the heels.
"Oh, Aaron – oh god, thank god it's you." She grabs at his arm, steadying herself as she finishes placing the shoe on. "I'm so sorry, I'm just so nervous about all of this," she says, brushing herself as she stands back up. "I'm such a mess, and everyone will be watching, and…"
Martha trails off, shaking her head. "I'm babbling, Aaron, I'm sorry."
"It's no problem, ma'am." He tries to move, attempting to urge her forward, but she grabs his elbow.
"Does this look, I mean, does it look okay, Aaron?" When he looks up, he is struck, then, by the vulnerable look on her face. Her eyebrows are furrowed, shoulders slumped – a look he has never seen before. She is usually so sure, so confident, and this…this is different. She looks scared.
Aaron knows he shouldn't; knows that he should just nod, give a simple yes, and move on – with any other FLOTUS, he would have done exactly that. But all he wants to do in this moment is return her to the happy Martha he has come to enjoy.
When he looks back, much much later, he'll wonder if this is the moment that changed everything.
Aaron's face changes into an uncharacteristic grin. He can't quite believe the words that come out of his mouth as his hand floats to the small of her back, pressing her forward lightly, as his casual drawl comes out.
"Ma'am, you look great."
