A/N: Here's chapter 4! I plan on the next chapter being the reunion, which I'm excited about writing :) So enjoy!!
Chapter 4
As she reached the door to the Oval Office, Karen paused briefly before knocking on the door. Hearing Daniels invite her in, she turned the brass knob and opened the door. Seeing who it was Daniels greeted her, "Karen, please come in. Take a seat"
"Thank you, Mr. President," she replied to the recently sworn in Daniels, as she sat down on the couch.
"So," Daniels began, taking a seat across from her, "what can I do for you, Karen?"
"Sir, I'm here to tender my resignation," she answered, confidently.
"Again, you mean," he said rather harshly.
"Yes sir," she knew he was going to bring up her previous resignation and throw it right in her face for going against him during the vote to keep Palmer in office. "The threat from Fayed and the other terrorists is over. There's nothing more I can do here and I've decided I need to step down as National Security Advisor."
"May I ask why?"
"Personal reasons, sir," she replied. Karen had no intention whatsoever of telling Daniels about the situation with Bill. She figured he would find out eventually, but she wasn't going to be the one to tell him and give him that kind of satisfaction.
"Karen, I understand your desire to be back in Los Angeles with you husband, but we still have the situation with Jack Bauer to deal with. I know you and I haven't seen eye to eye these past few hours but this Administration needs you."
"Thank you, sir, but with all due respect, this is non-negotiable. My decision's final," she said assuredly as she handed the letter to him.
"Well, if that's how you feel," Daniels declared, "I can't stop you. I should mention though, what happened earlier today with your resignation cannot happen again. This will be final."
"I understand that Mr. President," she replied, "and I am one hundred percent sure about this."
"Alright, I'll process this immediately," he said, signing her resignation form, "Good luck, Karen."
"Thank you, sir," Karen said, and with that stood up and walked out of the Oval Office. She then made her way down the hall to collect her things before leaving for her hotel, and then for the airport. Just as she rounded a corner, she saw none other than Tom Lennox walking towards her.
"Karen," he greeted her. Upon seeing her jacket and keys, he asked, "Are you going somewhere?"
"Home, Tom," she answered simply.
"I know you're probably exhausted, Karen, but we still have a huge situation to deal with here. I'm sure it won't take more than a few hours, than you can head back to your hotel," he replied, wondering why she was leaving when they had yet to resolve the problem surrounding Jack Bauer.
"I'm not going back to the hotel, Tom. At least not any longer than it takes to gather my things," she stated, hoping he would pick up on the fact she was leaving Washington.
"I don't understand," he said.
Ok, so he hadn't picked up on it. Why am I not surprised? she thought to herself. "I'm going back to LA, Tom, for good."
"Wait, you stepped down? Does this have to do with the investigation into Fayed's release? Because I thought you decided to fire Bill to distance you and the President from the problem."
"Yes, I did but I'm not willing to let my husband take the fall for the both of us," she explained. "Just because he signed the release form doesn't mean I had no involvement. I agreed with his decision and had no right to order him to take the blame. I made the wrong decision before but I realize that now and I have to do this."
"You're going to ruin your career because you feel guilty about firing, Bill? That's ridiculous, Karen. Resigning won't change what happens to him, but you're just going end up hurting yourself," he replied, shocked that she was willing to destroy her career to make her husband feel better.
"Tom, I appreciate what you're trying to do. But, you said earlier, in your office that I had to decide if I wanted to 'stand shoulder to shoulder' with my husband on this and I've come to the decision that that is exactly what I need to do and, more importantly, what I want to do."
"Well, if you feel that strongly about it, I guess I'm not going to change your mind," he said, defeated. "For what it's worth, I hope everything works out."
"Thank you," she replied with a small smile, "Well, I better go."
"Good luck Karen," he said, as they shook hands.
"You too, good-bye Tom," she replied and continued down the hall towards the exit. Karen then got into her car, and drove back to her hotel suite where she packed up the numerous clothes she had with her, before once again heading towards the airport.
