Jed didn't know what to feel as he stared down the five men. He wanted to express rage and until they had entered this room it had been easy to feel the heated emotion of anger but at the moment he was just frustrated, which was not quite the same as anger.

Jed felt that even now the CIA were still calling the shots. This meeting was unofficial, which was something Leo was supportive of as it was for the President's benefit but there was no denying the benefit of the secrecy for the five men before the President. As a result Jed was out of his home territory and worse, he was in John's.

Due to the unofficial status of this meeting and Jed's desire not to see the Oval Office sullied with men who might prove to be traitors, they could not meet in the White House but Jed wasn't going to meet anywhere the CIA suggested and thus be seen to be following their terms. It had put Leo in a bind to try and resolve the situation in a manner that maintained the President's authority but also the desired secrecy and required security. The solution was the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. This way if anyone did get a whiff of the meeting it would appear to be one the Vice President had arranged, meaning John would deal with any fallout that came from it.

Leo felt little guilt for his decision. He knew he was being petty to John- the President, Mallory and Cadence had all told him as much. Cadence was particularly cross when she had learned that not only had Leo told John about Robbie and her suicide attempt without asking her first if he could divulge such a personal story but that he was now blaming John for the leak of it to the press. Leo was still stubbornly adamant that John had to be the leak although even he couldn't really decide on a motive for it. Leo had just grumbled to Jed that John certainly looked good being seen publicly with Cadence visibly close to him, showing his support for her and faith in her.

There were ten of them in total currently occupying the Diplomatic Reception Room of the Eisenhower. The President, who had openly sneered at the name of the room, the Vice President who was not hiding his displeasure at being so openly abused for the CIA/Colombia fallout, the President's Chief of Staff who unsure what confession he was hoping for from the CIA agents they had helped to liberate from Colombia, two stoic Secret Service agents who were a reminder of the many that lingered throughout the Eisenhower, undercover but probably not subtle enough to throw off the keener eyed members of John's staff, and the five CIA members.

CIA Director Sebastian Wolfe sat between the agents, two on one side and three on the other. He was a man saved from being attractive by the cold emptiness of his blue stare and the ruthlessness he had in his stance that suggested he was not a man readily capable of compassion.

Jed figured in many respects the CIA Director probably had the right traits for his job, much like the military men they met with more frequently than Jed wanted in the Situation Room but Jed had run out of patience with Wolfe days ago and when his patience had went so too had his admiration. He appreciated that people sometimes had to adapt dirty tactics in times of war to keep the peace but the country had not been at war with Colombia and these dirty tricks of a cell of the CIA seemed to be risking it rather than preventing it.

Wolfe's companions were younger than Jed had expected, ranging from their early to late twenties. He didn't believe any of the four had crossed thirty yet. It put him in mind of his daughters Ellie and Elizabeth and he hated the comparison.

The agents had only just sat but it wasn't at Jed's behest. He had given them the solemn nod of permission coupled with a frown but it was only after Wolfe had sat that they had dared to occupy the brown cushioned seats at the long table. It made Jed despise them all just a little more and he had chosen to stay standing.

John, who stood silent behind the President knowing that he was here simply for show, read the situation differently to his boss. John's blue gaze passed over each of the young men in turn and he read the same thing in all of them- fear.

Jed waited impatiently for introductions but they weren't forthcoming. Wolfe was the only one meeting his stare, looking at Jed with a frosty stare that suggested disinterest. He looked at Jed without awe or respect, Jed was the third President he had dealt with and Wolfe obviously just considered him one of many.

"Leo," Jed called back to his Chief of Staff gruffly, "you would think given I saw to it that these four men were rescued from a situation both dangerous to them and to our country that they might be more forthcoming with their gratitude and their names. Do I not deserve to know the names of those whose lives I have helped to see saved?" he queried sarcastically.

It was some what of a rhetorical question as Jed did know their names. There was no way in hell that the Secret Service would have permitted this meeting otherwise. Jed wanted their names voiced, he wanted them to show him some damn respect by introducing themselves and humbling themselves to him.

The four faces looked in various directions, all with a similar unease. Only one of them eventually glanced up but his gaze was for Leo not Jed. A watery grey gaze peered out from an untidy, dirty fair fringe, the gaze was shaded with dark colours of bruising, and minute wrinkles of stress, and the pupils seemed unable to focus on Leo properly. The owner of the uneasy, wounded stare, shrugged and sat back in his seat as he gave up on the effort of studying Leo.

All the agents wore suits as did Wolfe, an attempt to appear business like rather than resemble the soldiers they had imitated in Colombia.

"Are they saved sir?" Director Wolfe quipped. His voice was calm and clear, his accent subtle Washington. Sebastian Wolfe had a Germanic name but he had been born and raised in Washington D.C. Given a middle class city education, he had gone to the army serving in Vietnam as Leo had. He had returned jaded like most men but the fight was still in him and he had channelled it into a career with the Central Investigation Agency.

Jed wondered if the military manner of the man annoyed him too. There were many who didn't support Jed because he was a President without a military background, dependent on his admirals for guidance when the threats from abroad came. Jed simply saw his way as the sensible one, indeed the democratic one, he sought guidance from those with experience and since when could one be an expert in everything? it was foolhardy to lead but not listen. He fixed his gaze back on Wolfe and decided that Wolfe was probably of the opposing opinion.

"I have no more time for this game you are playing," Jed warned him. "The CIA have been carrying out actions of warfare without sanction in a country we have had no quarrel with. They have been weaponising a foreign cartel and have caused acts of violence which have led to civilian causalities. It is an act of betrayal and one which could put the entire country at war. I have been waiting for an explanation but I have not received it and in spite of this I was asked to help extract four agents from Colombia, agents who may or may not have been a part of this."

Jed pointed down at Wolfe accusingly. "This was done successfully but there was no thanks on your part and you then cancelled a meeting with me, the President of the United States, your leader. It's hard, given all of this, for me to believe that you might know nothing of these actions of treason Director Wolfe," Jed remarked sternly.

Wolfe's stare remained cold as he continued to sit calm despite the President's accusations.

"Sir," Wolfe began.

"Mr President," Jed snapped angrily.

"Are you meeting with us as the President right now?" Wolfe demanded as he stared up at Jed unflinchingly.

"Director Wolfe," Leo interrupted as he stepped forward to stand beside Jed, "that is enough. You may not be in the White House but you are still addressing the President of the Unites States. This meeting is your final chance to explain yourselves, after this meeting we go to the press, what we announce to them depends on what you tell us here and now."

The grey eyed agent glanced up again and John glimpsed desperation there before the agent dropped his stare to the table again. He started to tap his fingers on the smooth table.

"One, the jungle weeps, two, the hunters creep, three, the price is steep, four, the secret is hard to keep," the agent murmured in time to his tapping.

"Shut up Sparks," the agent beside him, a freckled faced man with slicked back, black hair, ordered angrily. He kept his gaze forward even as he addressed his companion.

Jed was surprised at first but then he felt his anger returning.

"Is he mocking me?" Jed demanded as he gestured to the grey eyed man with one hand. "Are we to have more riddles?" he queried sardonically.

Wolfe shook his head. "No sir, Mr President," he corrected calmly, "it's PTSD and a reason for our delay in meeting with you. These men were not involved in these acts you mention. They were in Colombia as we had information suggesting a retaliation by Colombia terrorists in response to the American government offering support to the Colombian government during their civil war. They were there to prevent not cause an act of war but this news of CIA agents supplying cartel members with weapons led to their exposure."

John did not like where any of this was going. Jed and he had argued about John visiting the President of Colombia. It was an argument John had actually won, deeming that his trip to Colombia would be a weak and a humiliation not just to him but to the country. Now here was the CIA Director discussing not cartels but terrorists and John was considering that an apology to the President of Colombia sure as hell wasn't going to cut it.

"These men were detained by Colombian soldiers suspicious of their motives," Director Wolfe confessed, "and they were put in a position because of recent headlines where they felt they were better escaping than attempting to explain their presence but not before Agent Sparks was tortured one night for information about cartel weapons, information which he did not have," Wolfe added with a nod in the blonde's direction.

The blonde had bowed his head and burrowed both his hands into it. At Wolfe's words he started giggling inappropriately putting all the men in a state of unease.

Leo and John were immediately suspicious. Leo looked to the other three agents, they still didn't know where to look.

"That is a fine story," Jed retorted bitingly, "so you are saying we helped save heroes not traitors? You CIA are always too vague, you believe it's your right to keep the country protected by deciding what it should and should not know about outside threats. I get it," he continued as he paced his side of the table all while continuing to stare down Wolfe, "you think because I may only be here a handful of years you have no reason to divulge information about a problem that may have been here before me and might be here after me. You think," he continued as he raised his voice an octave, "that you shouldn't involve the President because what one President might do another might not and then you have a conflict, a delay, or a setback so why bother involving the President at all?"

Jed paused and glowered at Wolfe for confirmation.

"I believe you don't want war sir," Wolfe retorted, still sickeningly calm. "There was a bad cell in Colombia," he admitted, "but this is not them. We did not know about it, now we do. The CIA is taking all measures to pull back from Colombia although it puts us at risk from terrorists seeking a violent vengeance for our efforts to weaponise and support a government they deem corrupt."

Wolfe raised his silvery white eyebrows slightly. "It all seems to be a matter of opinion Mr President, were the cartel armed in the hopes of leading to them self-destruction and thus one might say it was a necessary evil for the greater good? Were we arming a righteous government or a corrupt one but one we felt was better controlled than the alternative? Are my men here traitors or heroes?"

Wolfe clasped his palms together and waved his hands up and down on the table briefly. "I have another matter of opinion for you to consider before you address the press and, more importantly, the American people."

Jed gazed down at him wearily. He had already decided that he hated this man and was going to find out if it was possible to prove a link between Wolfe and these dealings with the cartel and if not, to see if he could be removed from his post as Director as some form of punishment for this mess.

"What is that?" Jed demanded.

"Is knowledge of this all one needs to have to be deemed a traitor?" Wolfe queried coolly. His icy stare shifted slightly to Leo. "If you are of the opinion that yes, it is, then you may prepare to continue to see Cadence McGarry's face in the news but in a much wider scope."

Wolfe finally offered them a smile, it was a feral grin full of malice.

"Has she not informed you of the debt she owes to the CIA?" he queried. "One wonders why the press haven't uncovered that story yet. Perhaps it simply hasn't been fed to them yet."

"What are you talking about?" Leo snarled. He strode forward and placed his hands down on the table and leaned down on it to face Wolfe.

John had lost his expression of blank calm and was trying to wrestle it back. He had felt a jolt within him at the mention of Cadence's name.

The blonde agent was shaking his head. "One, the air is on fire, two, everybody is a liar, three, please let me be, four, no one is ever free," he started muttering rhymes again.
Jed shook his head numbly at the display wondering how this man wasn't in a psychiatric ward and how his disturbed behaviour hadn't been noted somewhere so that it might flag up and suggest that maybe he wasn't the type of person to be within range of the President of the United States. Jed felt sorry for him but the emotion passed quickly as Leo's angry voice brought him back to the mention of Cadence.

"What debt?" Leo demanded. "What has she got to do with any of this?"

"I told you," Wolfe retorted calmly, "it is a matter of opinion. You can take to the press the opinion that the CIA are in Colombia trying to make unsanctioned war with cartels or you can dismiss that as an offence by a minor number of individuals, stopped before it went too far and express the opinion that the CIA are in Colombia trying to stop acts of terrorism in the United States before they happen.

As for Cadence McGarry perhaps the opinion is that she knew she was involved with terrorists, perhaps she even believed in their cause against the Colombia government which, by extension, would be the United States government or perhaps the opinion is that she had no idea and was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people."

Leo wanted Wolfe to shut up but he couldn't bring himself to order the man to silence. He couldn't fathom what was happening now. Something in him suggested dully that it was blackmail and he knew he shouldn't be hearing it, that he should be ordering some legal action against Wolfe and telling the President not to heed it but he couldn't open his mouth to speak.

"Perhaps the opinion should be gratitude," Wolfe said smugly. "There was a plane shot down by the Colombian government, low flying, shot with a cheap gun that we definitely did not supply. It wasn't much of a wreckage and the CIA agents there knew there would be survivors. They found them and they questioned them. They didn't shoot them on sight because they're not the monsters some people are implying, and it was just as well because there was an American citizen amongst them. They accepted her story, that she was trying to help the local people. Agent Sparks here had spent time with her while he was undercover and supports that she was helping the people," Wolfe added as he gestured to the blonde agent on his right. "So the CIA helped her home, after processing her to ensure she was well for travel after the incident."

"And then they hushed the whole thing up," Leo murmured darkly.

John, Jed and Leo were all thinking about the same thing- Cadence's two year absence, her talk of South America, her unwillingness to divulge details, and her murmuring of a bush plane crash. John thought about her feverish apology about Colombia and realised numbly that she had not been talking about his meeting with Vice President Rojas after all but something much more serious.

John wondered about Wolfe's words about Cadence being in the press, why had it happened now? Was it possible that the CIA Director had wanted it this way so she was exposed and of interest to a hungry press? So that if this story about Colombia came out people might actually be interested because she was now someone they had heard of? She was someone already in their minds for being connected to scandal and mental instability?

John clenched his fists slightly by his sides as he struggled to rein in his rising temper. Damn it, it was absurd but it made sense. He supposedly grimly that despite Leo's insistence that no one knew about Robbie dying whilst attempting to be there for prom that there was evidence of it. One only had to look at the dates and a description of Robbie in his suit and then surely they could work it out.

"Director Wolfe I want your evidence for these four and their mission," Jed snapped as he gestured to the table with a wave of his hand.

"That's classified," Wolfe retorted coolly.

"I don't care, I'm the President, get it for me or, no matter what stories you threaten me with, I will not go to the American people and tell tales of heroes when I have no proof of it."

"I have proof of Cadence McGarry's presence in Colombia and as she is a civilian I can release it," Wolfe answered. His tone had taken on a brightness to it that was disturbing to hear.

Leo looked at the four agents sitting about Wolfe, pale faced and anxious. Leo realised he believed the story about them as he recognised it for what it was- a cover. They probably had been down there trying to stop terrorists, they had probably even believed in their cause and devoted themselves to it never thinking that their superiors didn't care much if they did stop some native terrorists. The CIA heads just wanted them ready and in place to trot out, with evidence, should their shady counterparts in Colombia get discovered.

Leo realised grimly that these four might have even been martyred for good press if someone, perhaps Director Wolfe, had not decided they might serve better alive. Leo knew how it worked, he had been in an unpopular war. Acts of corruption and violence never looked good no matter the worthiness of the goal but bring out a suffering soldier who had been brutalised at the hands of the enemy and suddenly the people supported seeking the blood of their opponents. If the bruised agent Sparks ever caught the public eye their might be a certain amount of sympathy for the CIA agents trying to get the Colombians to destroy themselves.

Now Director Wolfe wanted the President to sing the song of the CIA heroes and forget the less popular tune of traitors and the price was Cadence.

Leo felt weary and found himself leaning onto the table for support. Director Wolfe had played the wrong opponent. He was treating Jed as a man not as a president. As a family figure to Cadence, Jed might have considered negotiating with Wolfe for her but as the President he could never give in to blackmail, publicly or privately, and that was what this was.

Leo couldn't see a way out. They would talk to Cadence of course and get her version of events and by God Leo hoped it was innocent but Wolfe would see her smeared anyway and it would come down to opinion as he said because what evidence could she have?

Leo knew Cadence would have to quit or be fired, hell he might be facing the same fate now. Josh and Toby would have to work hard and fast, this couldn't become a large scandal. They would give up the truth of the CIA and the cartel and let that news take over the story of Cadence being in Colombia with some sketchy natives because hell that was all it really was. She could have never known they were terrorists, if they even were, Leo only had Wolfe's word for that right now and what was that worth?

Leo started to realise what John already had. If Cadence wasn't already in the papers, the American public might not even care that much about her being in Colombia with some questionable individuals. They might have shrugged it off as naivety or stupidity on her part but she was known to them now and worse, known for a history of mental instability.

Leo felt a headache budding as he considered the Colombians and their President and how this was all going to look to them. He thought bitterly how only John was benefiting right now, he hadn't wanted to go there and apologise and the President, after a lengthy talk about it with him, which had involved some raised voices, had ultimately and reluctantly agreed with John that the Colombians were asking a bit much and only looking to humiliate John and, by extension, the United States.

Jed realised grimly that the war he had been fearing had begun but it was not with the opponent he had been expecting.

"Director Wolfe I want you and your agents to stay a few more hours while we discuss this," Jed addressed him with a forced calm, "but you must permit me to have a conversation with my Chief of Staff and the Vice President in private. We can do that next door," he said as he waved his hands down, "no need for you to move. I'll see you have refreshments brought in while you wait."

Jed turned from them without waiting for Wolfe to respond. He gave John a stern expression as he headed for the door.

Leo followed, worried and curious and unable to keep his emotions from his face. He was back to fighting between being a father and being the Chief of Staff, it was a battle coming up too often for him. It occurred to him that life had been much easier before Cadence's return and it was a thought he cursed himself for.

As the Secret Service followed them out, Agent Sparks was suddenly on his feet in a hurry and bolting after them.

"I need the toilet," he exclaimed when the Secret Service agent leaving last turned on him, hand ready to withdraw a gun.

Agent Sparks raised his hands up in a harmless gesture. "I just need a bowel movement," he babbled, "you know, an ass kiss with the porcelain throne."

The agent stared back at him warningly suggesting he did not know.

Leo glanced over his shoulder to the blonde. He saw that the man was giving minute tremors and that his eyes were wide and full of terror. Catching movement out of the corner of his eye he saw Director Wolfe standing, ready to protest or follow.

"Let him go," Leo muttered, "I could use one of those myself. Come on Agent Sparks, I'll show you where the toilets are."

Leo gave a casual nod to the Secret Service standing at the doorway as he exited. "If Director Wolfe needs the toilet too show him to the ones down the hall on the right," he ordered quietly.

Leo promptly turned left, leading Sparks after the President and his Vice.

"Is she in this building John?" Jed demanded quietly as they walked, heading for the Vice President's office.

John nodded. "Yes sir."

"You need to get her to your office now," he ordered.

They reached John's office within ten minutes, moving through quieter corridors to avoid notice. Leo, Agent Sparks and a Secret Service agent stepped into the nearby toilets on the way.

Jed took this time to get Josh on the phone knowing that on his orders Josh would get the job done without the delay for doubt and arguing that Toby would offer. The embarrassment was having to get John to make the call because Jed didn't know the phone number for Josh's office and had always had Charlie or Mrs. Landingham to make his calls.

It was difficult to explain what Jed wanted to Josh clearly but quickly. Time was of the essence, he could keep Director Wolfe here for a few hours at most but that was all the advantage he would have.

Leo and Agent Sparks entered the room in time to hear Jed's stern command, a declaration of war against Director Wolfe.

"Get the story leaked now Josh," Jed said firmly. "No delays, not even by a minute, get it out there."

Leo paled just a little, the decision was harsh and rash but the move was bold and he knew he would have admired it more if not for his personal stake. He knew there was no time for discussion, if they played fair and promised no press action until Director Wolfe was gone then he might reach the news first. Now they had a few hours to damn him, to get the story out first so whatever he said in answer would look like an attempt to get away from the story of cartel being armed by the CIA.

Jed ended the call and passed the phone back to John.

Jed looked to Agent Sparks in puzzlement. "Leo why is here?" he demanded. "We need Wolfe to stay where he is for a few hours and he won't do that with one of his agents wandering about."

"I know sir," Leo agreed, "and I'll send him back now but Director Wolfe said Agent Sparks met Cady while he was undercover."
Leo turned to the bewildered agent with a begging stare. "What did my daughter get mixed up in?" he queried.

The blonde twitched and scratched at his hair with his right hand. "Cady cat where's she at?" He bowed his head and smiled.

"I'm beginning to think we're in some sort of children's television show with this rhyming," Jed complained wearily.

The agent glanced over to him apologetically. "A rhyme takes time, there's a thought process," he murmured, "lots of thinking, no time left for other thoughts." He shrugged and fiddled with his hands, displaying that all his nails were broken off and his fingers had dried blood gathering at the ruined nubs.

"Just tell me," Leo pleaded.

Agent Sparks glanced at him hopefully. "Get me out?" His unfocused grey stare darted in Jed's direction. "You can, you're the President. She was helping people, they were framed, I guess we all were, to look good?" He made it a question and appeared confused.

Leo sighed. The man had something broken in his mind, that much was clear and, along with his visible wounds, supported Director Wolfe's tale of torture although Leo wasn't totally convinced that it had been by confused Colombian soldiers who only had time to hurt Agent Sparks before he and the other three had escaped somehow.

"Leo send him back," Jed ordered.

"Cady I need you in my office please," John ordered down the phone in a neutral tone. "Now," he added firmly.

John ended the call and looked over to Leo and the blonde. "Sir, it doesn't appear that the CIA have helped him much, aren't you concerned with what Director Wolfe will do to him?"

"Of course I am John," Jed snapped without glancing back at him, "but I don't think, after we have all met him, that Director Wolfe will have this man up and disappear suddenly or anything so crude. I have only asked that he returns to sit with the director for a few hours, I have not asked that he leave this building with him. If Josh and C.J do their job efficiently then a blow will have been struck and should they ask for it, we can consider offering help to Agent Sparks and his friends."

Leo guided Agent Sparks to the door and asked one of the Secret Service agents to lead him back to the Diplomatic Reception Room.