Thanks for the non-existent reviews.
As this is set in the summer of 2003, the POTUS and FLOTUS here is naturally GWB and LB. No, I intentionally did include their full names. In the fictional conversation below, you can see I make GWB a much gentler POTUS than he was in reality.
Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center
"Er…excuse me Mr. President?" LCDR Elizabeth Hawkes couldn't believe her ears.
"I said, any plans for dinner tonight? How about dining with me and Laura?"
The President is inviting me to dinner?! After my poor performance just now?! "Uh...no nothing sir… really it's very kind of you but I don't want to intrude," Skates hands were shivering and she had to place the Football on the table, lest she drop it.
"Please, we've got the table to ourselves; our daughters are away. It's a simple dinner."
"Mr. President, the Football…"
"I'm sure the WHMO can spare the Football carrier for one evening," POTUS smiled. "There's a football carrier 24/7/365, but it shouldn't be the same officer all the time." Skates hesitated then blurted out "What do I wear?"
"Well, it's not a state dinner. Just don't come in your uniform or too casual. Say 7?" POTUS signalled to one of Secret Service agents about dinner arrangement. "See you at seven Commander." With that, he moved off, the PPD agents immediately surrounding him, forming a cocoon.
What the hell was just happened?! Elizabeth Hawkes wondered.
JAG Headquarters
Harm's office
Sometime later
The phone barely rang its second ring before it was answered. "Commander Rabb's office, Lieutenant Sims speaking."
"Har…Harriet? Hi, it's Skates," came the chirpy voice on the other end.
"Heya Skates…uh ma'am, how are doin'?" Harriet asked, remembering the naval aviator out ranked her.
"Uh, fine. Is Harm there?"
"The Commander actually just left with my husband half an hour ago. You need to talk to him? I can give you his cell."
There was pause on the line. "It's ok. Say, what time do you get off work. I've got a favour to ask."
The White House
State Floor
1855 hours
Skates was shivering more from the prospect of dining with her Commander-in-Chief and his wife rather than from the early summer even weather, which was warmer than any summer she experienced abroad at sea. After the quick rush through DC shops with Harriet Sims blabbering about various frills and styles, Skates settled on a simple light blue dress that reach several inches below her knees. It was a strapped dress as Skates insisted on one where she didn't have to resort to wearing a strapless or backless or stick on bra. She had selected plain old one-inch heel slip-ons, much to Harriet's dismay, and had to protest to the young administrative officer effort' in adding extensive facial make up. With the events of the last week, especially the mystery of Hays' murder filling her mind, Skates nearly got lost in the White House until a Secret Service agent found her. From the entrance hall, she was guided through several security checks where the female agents saw no humour in Skates' raising her arms up in surrender for them to pat.
No sooner had she stepped into the Family Dining Room did she hear a voice she recognised from watching TV. "Uh, good evening, ma'am," Skates greeted the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), right hand extended, left arm bent 45 degrees and tucking that hand behind her back, just as she was first trained in her NROTC.
"Evening, I believe you are Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Hawkes," the First Lady answered with a radiant smile. She had done ad simple red shiny dress with pearls running across the short sleeves.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Oh, forget the ma'am. Even I tell the agents not to call me that unless in formal settings. I'm Laura."
"Alright, I'm uh Elizabeth," Skates didn't think it would be nice for FLOTUS to know her callsign nor her short name.
"Would you like a drink Elizabeth? We have some fruit punch or water over there. I think it's George's idea not to have to have alcohol."
How like an naval aviator, Skates thought, then remembered the President was a former Air National Guard pilot and a former alcoholic. Punch in hand, Skates was about to shift to the table when FLOTUS asked, "Are you alright? You look a bit jittery?"
"I'm…"
"First time on the job always brings out the jitters," POTUS announced, appearing with a basket of bread and dressed in simple slacks, shirt and a jacket. "Hi, Commander, Darling," he greeted his wife with kisses on both cheeks. "Soups just about ready," he said signalling for them to sit. A minute later, a steward appeared and served them traditional Texan Cowboy soup. Skates had tried Texan cuisine in and outside her Navy years, but had never tried this soup not bread slightly spiced. "It's really lovely, Mr. President."
"My favourite from my hometown, though I don't get to have it that often."
"What food do you miss when at sea Elizabeth?" FLOTUS asked.
"Oh nothing specific really. I'm from Maryland but my family has partly British. I guess I'll say I'll miss mom's cooking. Definitely her lamb hot pot."
"Mum's food always the best," POTUS replied, his eyes drifting away.
"Have you been home since coming to DC? George, you've got to give this girl some time off."
"I…" Skates was a little shocked by FLOTUS' concern.
"She has a critical duty at present but I'm sure she'll get some good leave and rest. Ah, salad," POTUS gestured. Skates found the bean salad a little dry but the main course, a generous amount of beef burritos with assorted condiments was definitely heavenly. Skates used the provided cutlery provided until she saw her Commander-in-Chief pick up his burrito with his hands.
"We're a bit casual with dining," POTUS smiled and took huge bite.
"George," protested FLOTUS, "We're may be casual but standards."
"But it's just a nice little dinner and I don't think my eating habits will go on ZNN tomorrow right Commander?"
"Uh no sir," Skates quickly stammered.
"Relax, you're amongst friends." Skates still wasn't and decided the best move was to focus on the meal. She did used her hands initially, but soon reverted to the cutlery as her hands were 'dirtied' with guacamole, sour cream and cheese. The burritos filled Skates' stomach and she was just about to give an indication when suddenly a huge bowl of apple dumplings topped with pecans with a huge scoop ice scream appeared.
"Oh my other favourite," POTUS declared but his wife shook her head. "George, I thought I said fruit salad."
"Don't worry, I'll exercise it all off tomorrow," he laughed as he portioned out the dessert. It wasn't as sweet as Skates expected and the cinnamon-flavoured ice cream was a good pairing with the dessert.
"Coffee anyone?" POTUS asked as the dessert dishes and cutlery were cleared.
"I'll pass; I have to go through my speech at for the new library opening in Norfolk tomorrow," FLOTUS said.
"I'm quite alright Mr. President, Laura thank you…" Skates started when she noticed POTUS eyes.
"It's lovely to meet you Elizabeth; I wish you well on your duties and will definitely catch you later," FLOTUS said, giving Skates a slight peck on her cheek and kissed her husband on his lips before departing. A cup of coffee replaced FLOTUS and the leader of the free world added a drop of milk and half of teaspoon of sugar before facing his Football carrier.
"Hell of a day wasn't it? I know, Dick or I call him Vice can be very angsty and pressuring at times, same with Rummy, but you did really well."
"Thank you, sir," Skates acknowledged, still not knowing what this is all about.
"I've played these sort of games before, well, mostly disaster preparation scenarios, as Governor. Sometimes we do threaten the other side, but not always with that of massive nuclear war. Sometimes, those threats work but are too excessive. So, we just have to go in full."
Like we did in Iraq, and look how that turned out, Skates thought but just sat up.
"You know," POTUS said, picking up drop of coffee and dropping it back down into the cup, "I generally don't want to physically use these weapons; I don't think any President would. Nor do I like the idea of them ready to go, 24/7."
"I... sense a 'but' coming, sir," Skates commented. Unless you are going to say you don't like the idea of a Football carrier then I can return to my good old carrier.
"You're right. But, many circumstances demand they stay as they are. Same with those that help carry the briefcase that forms part of this vital area of national security."
"You didn't call me for this for this, Mr. President," Skates braced herself for the expected tidal wave.
"No, I sense a great spark in you, Commander. Maybe it's you're a naval aviator or something. Sounds funny, but I think you're going to be one helluva Football carrier."
I may be just a good Football carrier if I know damn know what happened to my predecessor and have this whole mystery solved, she thought.
"I don't expect any unique actions, but just remember, duty, honor country. Not my words of course."
"General MacAthur's," Skate responded. She never liked that General's actions, but remembered his last speech well.
Both President and Lieutenant Commander chat a while more before the Commander-in-Chief signalled his desire to retire. "It was a lovely dinner and chat, Mr. President. See you tomorrow."
Escorted out, Skates took a deep breath of fresh DC air and was just about to figure her way back to the barracks when she heard a familiar voice.
"Agent Coppinger," she greeted the Secret Service Agent she first met. Instead of the traditional suit and pants, he was in casual black jeans, shirt and jacket.
"Commander Hawkes. If I may say so, you look beautiful." Skates smiled and hoped there wouldn't be a question on why she was dressed so.
"I'm off duty for tonight," he indicated at his clothing and the missing earphone that would normally be in his right ear. "I guess you are?"
"Uh yes. Just trying to figure how to get back to my barracks at this time."
"I usually spent time off at a DC bar. Not too noisy, alright food and no I don't get drunk."
Is he? She thought. "Are you asking me out?" Skates blurted
"Er…" The Secret Service Agent paused. "Well, the usual other agents who join me are somewhere else and…"
"Ok, I'm on," Skates responded then added. "So long as it's not too much."
To Be Continued.