POTUS

2

Thanks, My Lovelies, for all the comments and kudos so far. I'm so glad you all are liking this. Here's chapter 2. I have a slight idea where I'm going but it's really happening chapter to chapter at this point. Haha!

President Danvers glared at each one of her advisors in turn. "Can ANYONE tell me what the hell is going on? Why can't we just apply sanctions until they stop this?"

Secretary of State Elizabeth Hunt slowly stood and approached her, shaking her head. "Madam President," she replied. "Mexico is our neighbor, and one of our most reliable allies and trade partners. We can't just force them into rooting out corruption." She paused thoughtfully. "It's like having a best friend who won't stop robbing banks."

Alex nodded and sat down behind her desk. "I'm just having a very hard time believing that they'd stall like this."

"Well…" The secretary cleared her throat. "There was the whole… wall… fiasco. I'm not sure they really ever got over it."

"Really?" The president got up again and paced restlessly. "Come up with a solution please, Bess. Forty-eight hours."

"Yes, Ma'am," Secretary Hunt replied, taking off her glasses and tucking them into her pocket.

Alex suddenly felt very stifled. "I need some air." She got up and left her staff in the Oval Office while she stepped out onto the garden walkway and started to stroll away from the building. She was still favoring her ankle a little, but it was feeling a lot better than even the day before. Moments later, she realized that Special Agent Lee was trailing behind her, keeping a respectful distance. She glanced over her shoulder and gave a little jerk of her head, smiling as the agent's footsteps quickened to catch up.

"Yes, Ma'am?" Kara asked as she matched pace with the president.

"Nothing," Alex shrugged. "I just prefer when you walk next to me rather than behind me. How's your day been?"

"Busy actually," Kara replied as she took her earpiece out and tucked her hands into her pockets. She had visually identified at least two other agents and a roof sniper keeping watch over them. "Final planning for the trip to Camp David tomorrow. Are you looking forward to going?"

Alex nodded and lightly bumped shoulders with her. "It's my first break since I got here, so hell yeah. Can't wait to try out that basketball court and the swimming pool… oh and the pool table." She paused then and looked at the agent. "You're coming, right?"

Blonde eyebrows lifted. "Yes, Ma'am. Of course." Kara made a visual sweep of the gardens before guiding Alex around a corner. "This way has a really pretty rose bed."

"How long will it take to get there?" Alex asked as she stuck her hands in her pockets too. "To Camp David, I mean."

"It takes about 30 minutes on Marine One and eighty minutes to drive."

"And we're driving, right?" Alex asked hopefully.

"No, Ma'am," the agent replied. "We're taking Marine One."

"Oh." The president looked down and blew out a long breath.

Kara watched her for a moment and then reached out to briefly touch her arm. "Madam President, are you afraid of flying?"

Alex lifted her head and squared her shoulders. "No," she denied.

The agent's face softened. "Statistically speaking, flying is the safest way to travel."

"Yeah, I've heard that," the president replied with a shrug. "But that doesn't make me feel any better. I was in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, and it wasn't fun."

"How on Earth did you make it through your presidential campaign without anyone finding out you're afraid of flying? Mr. Schott didn't mention it." Kara stopped walking next to a fragrant rose bed and crouched to smell the blooms. Alex joined her, their shoulders practically touching.

The brunette chuckled as she ran a fingertip along the velvet face of a rose petal. "Winn is sworn to secrecy. I guess I…" Alex turned her head and was captured by gentle blue eyes at very close range. She instantly forgot what she was saying, and it suddenly became hard to breathe. Maybe it was because she was close enough to share air with the agent. "Um… I..." She took a calming breath. "I guess I just sucked it up."

"Mmmm…" Kara responded, her eyes never leaving the president's even as her lips lifted into a little smile. "I'll change the plan to driving rather than flying. What's a few extra minutes if it saves you from utter terror?"

'You don't have to do that," Alex replied softly. "I know you've spent a lot of time planning everything already and this is really last minute."

"Let me do this for you, Alex?" the agent asked, tilting her head a little. A wisp of blonde hair escaped from behind her ear and the president lifted her hand to brush it back. But she suddenly stopped herself, breaking eye contact with the agent and standing quickly to put some distance between them. Kara stood too, looking down at her shoes for a moment before clearing her throat and lifting her head.

"O…ok… thanks," Alex stammered. "I appreciate it."

"Madam President!" Kara whirled, her hand instantly moving her jacket aside and going for her gun before she registered that the chief of staff was running to catch up with them. "Whoa!" Winn chuckled, holding up his hands. "Stand down, Agent."

"Apologies, Sir," the agent replied, her face already back to its normal impassiveness. She pushed her earpiece back into her ear and straightened her jacket, turning a little to visually sweep the area again.

"Alex," Winn said. "You're needed in the situation room. It's urgent."

The president nodded and turned to walk back to the White House with her right-hand man, but she took a moment to look back over her shoulder. Special Agent Lee smiled slightly and then followed behind them.

Xx

It was four in the morning and Alex had just fallen into bed. The heads-up from Winn had escalated into a crisis and they'd been in the situation room for most of the evening and into the night. The president was truly exhausted but, as she lay in the dark and quiet, her mind wouldn't shut off. "Ugh," she groaned, flopping onto her side, pounding on her pillows and firmly closing her eyes. Then she flopped onto her back. Then her stomach growled to remind her she'd only eaten a sandwich in the previous twelve hours. Alex sighed and sat up, grabbing her phone from her nightstand and opening a message.

DaPres: Still awake?

Chiefy: Can't sleep?

DaPres: No, can't shut my mind off

Chiefy: Me neither. We both need to get laid

DaPres: Hey, you told me to get new batteries for my vibrator

Chiefy: But the vibrator totally isn't working for you. I saw you with her today

DaPres: We were just talking about the trip to Camp David. She's changing plans because she found out I don't like flying

Chiefy: I love how you just completely jumped to the conclusion that I meant the gorgeous Special Agent Lee

DaPres: Shut up!

Chiefy: You two were totally eye-fucking in front of the rose bed

DaPres: SHUT UP!

Chiefy: Hehe… night Al

Alex sighed and set her phone back on the nightstand. They were leaving for Camp David in a few hours, so she tried to get some sleep.

Xx

Kara Lee Warren was not a woman known for rushing into things. She was also not a woman known for making rash decisions. In fact, she'd always been the one to go to in a crisis. It was why she made an exceptional agent.

She stood in her shower, hot water cascading down over her as she pressed her palms against the cool tile and leaned forward. She was due at the White House in just over an hour and she'd already finished her workout and a protein-rich breakfast. As she finished showering, she wondered if the president had been able to get any sleep. When she'd finished her shift at eight the evening before, President Danvers and her staff had still been dealing with a pretty serious issue. Alex had been on Kara's mind all evening. She'd even had a dream about her.

The agent toweled off and dressed in a pair of comfortable khaki cargo pants and a black polo shirt. She dried her hair, opting to keep it down, and put on some light makeup. Then she threw her toiletries into her suitcase, zipped it up and, after one last quick once-over in the mirror, headed for the door.

The White House was bustling when she arrived. They had an hour until the President would be ready to leave so she went about going over the final plans and briefing with the team. She knew everything was ready, but she also knew that the president herself could put a wrench in the works.

But she didn't. Alex was ready and in the Beast on time, much to Kara's surprise as she slid in next to her, having changed into a business suit. "Supergirl on the move," the agent said quietly into her hand mic.

As the drive progressed, the president read through various folders of documents, sipping now and again from a bottle of water. Kara allowed herself a moment to enjoy the look of concentration, coupled with the squinted-eye gaze that was an indication that Alex could need glasses soon. The president was a beautiful woman… who was now looking back at her. "Do I have something on my face?" she asked teasingly.

"Sorry, no," Kara replied. "I was just… um…wondering why you were squinting?"

Alex chuckled softly. "When I'm tired, my contacts bother me. Squinting gives me some relief."

"I didn't know you wore contacts," the agent replied.

"Yeah, since college," Alex nodded. "Sleep has been a rare commodity these last couple of weeks, so my eyes are irritated."

"I won't tell anyone if you want to take a nap. We have an hour to go," Kara suggested with a shrug.

"I shouldn't," the president replied. Then she yawned and laughed a little. "Or maybe I should."

"I'll wake you up when we're almost there."

Alex yawned again, closed her eyes and moments later, she was asleep, quiet breathing filling the back of the car as Kara raised the privacy screen. The agent took out her phone and started on a new chapter of the Kindle book she'd downloaded but she was only a few pages in when the president stirred and pillowed her head against Kara's shoulder.

The agent froze.

Alex's hand moved to her thigh.

Kara swallowed thickly.

But the president stayed still, so the agent relaxed, going back to her book and trying to concentrate on the story.

Xx

"Madam President?" Agent Lee gently patted the hand that was still sitting on her thigh. "Madam President, we've arrived at Camp David."

"M'kay," Alex mumbled as she stirred. "But I'm comfortable. Just five more minutes… pllleeeeaaaase?" She nuzzled her face into the agent's shoulder, making her blush. To his credit, Agent Taylor didn't laugh but he did smile fondly.

"We need to get out of the car, President Danvers," Kara said softly. "Don't make me have to carry you again."

Alex laughed against her arm and sat up straight, blushing too as she pulled her hand back. "I'm so sorry, Agent Lee. I think I was dreaming." Then she met the agent's eyes sheepishly. "It was a good one too."

Kara suddenly had an overwhelming urge to lean over and kiss the grin off the president's face but, instead, she cleared her throat and got out of the car, standing stiffly next to the door. "This way, Ma'am."

Alex nodded and got out of the Beast, where she was greeted by the staff member who would show her to the presidential suite. Another staff member grabbed her luggage to bring it inside.

"I assume you've been here before," Alex said as she followed the staffer with her lead agent walking beside her.

"Yes, Ma'am," Kara nodded. "With the vice president on occasion."

"So, you know the best places to hide on the property?"

Blonde eyebrows shot up. "Depends on what kind of hiding you're doing," Kara replied. "Are we talking about hiding from assassins… or from Chief of Staff Schott?"

Alex winked at her. "The second one."

The agent chuckled. "I think I can find some places where you can get some peace and quiet. You're supposed to be on vacation after all."

Just then, Kara's face fell, her hand going to her ear. "Acknowledged," she said into her microphone. "Meet me at the main gate. Taylor, stay outside the door of the suite." Then she turned to Alex. "Stay in your room, Madam President."

Kara turned to leave but Alex caught her by the arm. "What is it?" she asked nervously.

The agent smiled and squeezed the president's forearm. "Just stay here," she replied. "Every window in this building is bulletproof so you'll be safe. I'll be back as soon as I can."

She took off at a jog and the staffer ushered the president to her room. Her suitcase was already there and, to her shock, already unpacked into the dresser and walk-in closet so Alex just took a seat on the bed and then lay back to test its comfort.

It was quiet outside. The president moved to the window and pulled back the net curtain a tad to peer out. It was getting into the evening and the overcast sky made it seem darker than it should. Then Alex spotted Kara walking along the path from the main gate, deep in conversation with another female agent whom Alex didn't recognize. They exchanged curt nods and the other agent headed toward the Secret Service surveillance building, while Kara headed back into the residence.

Alex went to the door and opened it to find Taylor standing guard outside. "What's going on?" she asked softly.

The big man shrugged. "Seems like a car got a flat just down the road from the main gate. Nothing to worry about, Ma'am."

"Ok, good. Now, where can a girl get a drink around here?"

Taylor grinned. "Follow me, Ma'am. Let me give you the nickel tour."

Xx

Kara watched from a window, training binoculars on the car sitting a quarter mile up the road. The driver was still trying to get the tire changed and the agent was wary of the amount of time it was taking. Just when she was going to send a team up there, the man finally finished and put his tools and the flat tire into the trunk of the car. She sighed in relief and brought her mic to her lips. "The tire is changed. Make sure the car leaves and then search the area for anything suspicious."

The agent headed back to speak to the president but, to her surprise, found her sitting on one end of the couch in the den, her eyes closed and a glass of scotch in her hand. For a moment, Kara thought that Alex was asleep but then a brown eye opened and swiveled in her direction. "Taylor filled me in. All clear?" the president asked.

"Yes, Ma'am," Kara replied. She looked at her watch. It was after six and she was coming off-duty, but she didn't want to leave Alex there alone.

Then the president revealed her mind-reading skills. "You should get going," she said. "I know your shift ended at six."

"Trying to get rid of me?" Kara teased, taking a seat on the other end of the couch.

"On the contrary," Alex chuckled. "But I don't want you to get sick of me too soon."

"That'll never happen," the agent replied softly, her face serious but her eyes twinkling. "They teach us how to deal with annoying presidents at Secret Service school."

The response shocked the President into full on laughter and she shook her head as she saw a small smile spread across the agent's face. "Sassy," she grinned. "I like it." She got up and went to the decanter to freshen up her drink. "Have a drink with me?" she asked.

Kara checked her watch once more to find it was six-fifteen. "Ok, thanks," she replied. "Just one finger."

The president nodded and did as she was asked, passing the glass to the agent as she retook her seat on the couch. "You're very disciplined," she commented. "Were you in the military at any point?"

"No, Ma'am," Kara replied. "But I was a police officer."

"There're no Ma'ams when it's just us," Alex reminded. "It's just Alex and Kara." At the agent's small smile, the president continued. "Why did you change careers?"

"Well, I was working the streets in D.C. and then I got promoted to detective, but I was only at that rank for three months before Lena…" She paused and swallowed. "My wife was diagnosed with a grade three meningioma." She took a sip of her drink. "I had taken a leave of absence to be with her while she was sick but… after she died, my life just went off the rails without her."

Alex nodded sympathetically. "How old was she?"

"Thirty-three when she was diagnosed. She survived a year." Kara shrugged. "After that, I was just emotionally… gone. It took my father physically coming to find me and talk some sense into me to bring me back. I went to therapy and joined the Secret Service and… well… the rest is history."

The president sighed and leaned her head back against the soft leather of the sofa. "My ex-wife left me for a man. My physical therapist actually."

Kara's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack." Alex tipped her drink back in one swallow and got up to get another. "I'd had a lot of surgeries and a slow recovery, and she'd been sleeping with him behind my back for over a year. When I asked her why, she told me it was because she had needs that I couldn't fulfill for her while I was disabled." The president rolled her eyes. "She was a big strap-on fan."

"Fuck," Kara murmured. "That's just cold."

"Winn wanted to have her assassinated when I won the presidency."

"I don't blame him." The agent shook her head in disgust.

Alex nodded and pursed her lips. "I wish I could say I'm completely over her but…" She shrugged with a half-smile.

"Ditto," Kara sighed. "My mother wants me to move on. It's been five years, but it still feels like it's too soon."

Just then, a young woman knocked and stuck her head into the room. "Excuse me, Madam President, Special Agent Lee. Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes."

"Thanks," Alex replied. Then she looked to Kara. "Join me? And don't say it's not appropriate. I'm inviting you."

"I'd love to," Kara replied softly. "Thanks."

"So," the president asked. "Do we know yet who's taking over as SAC?" She watched with interest as Kara's face darkened a little. "Sore subject?"

The agent didn't say anything for a moment and instead, ran her finger around the rim of her glass. "I've heard the usual talk," she finally allowed. "But I'm not sure yet."

"Something tells me that the news is not good news for you?" Alex turned a little onto her hip to cross her legs and gaze at the blonde.

"I have a pretty good gut," Kara replied. "And I'm not sure the person they're proposing is right for the job."

"Who are they proposing?" the president asked.

"I'm not at liberty to say," the agent chuckled. "Alex, please don't make me tell you."

"Kara, you have to tell me. I'm the president," Alex deadpanned.

"Well," the blonde replied with a little grin. "Technically, it's not confirmed so, I wouldn't like to tell the president any porky pies."

The brunette laughed heartily. "No porky pies, eh? Well, I'll see your porky pies and raise you commander-in-chief."

Kara didn't really have a reply for that and shook her head, chuckling softly. "You win, Madam President. I've heard that it's Miller."

"Miller, the lead agent on my detail that you replaced, Miller?" Alex asked, surprised.

"That would be the one," the agent replied with a shrug. "He's not a bad guy, he's just…" She searched for a word.

"Smarmy?" Alex supplied. "Ass kisser? Sycophant? Pretty much the opposite of you?" She frowned heavily. "I never liked that guy, but I guess he'll fit right in with the top brass." She clapped her hand over her mouth then, horrified at herself. "I didn't say that. You heard nothing."

Kara's face was the picture of amusement. "I know you didn't say anything, Alex," she said. "But I couldn't have not-said it better myself."

"Let's change the subject, shall we?" Alex went on. "Tell me a bit more about yourself?" But the president didn't expect the sudden wariness of the agent's face and she immediately regretted asking.

"What do you want to know?" Kara asked quietly.

"Just whatever you're comfortable telling me," the brunette replied gently. "Do you have any hobbies?"

Blue eyes lowered for a moment but then lifted again. "Painting… landscapes," the agent said softly. "But I don't get a lot of time for it these days. And… I play the guitar."

"Me too," the president replied. "My Dad taught me when I was a kid."

"You didn't bring a guitar with you," Kara pointed out.

"No… I… don't usually. It's back in the residence."

"I have mine… if you'd like to borrow it sometime?"

"Thanks, Kara," Alex smiled. "I might just take you up on that some evening."

Xx

Agent Taylor paced slowly up and down the hallway outside the president's suite. It was approaching three and dark outside. Camp David was as quiet as it ever got with the number of people on the premises.

Then he heard it and froze, hand going to his gun as he listened intently. He heard it again and moved closer to the president's room, ready to burst through the door and protect her against whatever was in there. But then he stopped and looked down, his hand dropping from his gun and, after a moment, going for his phone instead to hit a speed dial.

"Taylor, report," Kara said, sounding fully awake and alert.

"Sorry to wake you, Lee," he replied. "Um… the president seems to be having some pretty bad nightmares. Should I go in to check on her or…"

"Don't go in. I'll be right there," the blonde replied immediately.

"Yes, Ma'am." The big man hung up the phone and took his seat outside the door, shaking his head unhappily. He really liked the president and knowing she'd gone through something to give her nightmares like these, made him sad.

Moments later, Kara was coming down the hallway, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt but barefooted. "How's she doing?" she asked as Taylor stood to meet her.

"She's…" he began.

But Kara's head turned when she heard a series of cries coming from behind the door and she quickly pulled out her keycard. "No one comes in here, ok?"

"Ok," Taylor agreed as his boss opened the door to the presidential suite and slipped inside, closing it behind her.

It was dark and Kara paused to let her night vision adjust before moving quietly through the living room toward the president's bedroom. The door was ajar, and she waited for a long moment to listen for any more distress. It remained quiet for a while and she was about to leave when she heard a whimper, and her feet shuffled her closer to push the door open a little wider.

"No…" Alex groaned. "Don't… please… don't take them… take me instead…" Kara moved into the room and closer to the bed. Alex was tossing her head back and forth, her arms raised as if to protect her face. "No! You can't take them! Let them go!"

The agent took a breath and went to the bed to sit on the edge. "Alex," she said softly. "Hey, it's ok. It's just a nightmare."

The president continued to thrash and finally, Kara leaned in and cupped her face between her hands, speaking a little louder. "Hey, wake up, Alex. It's just a dream."

The older woman jerked awake with a gasp, and she drew back, swatting the agent's hands away. "No!"

"It's just Kara," the blonde said gently. "You were having a nightmare. Taylor was worried about you."

Alex was trembling and her brown eyes were wide in the dimness of the room but after a few breaths, she relaxed a little and a small smile rose to her lips. "Taylor was, huh? But you weren't?"

"Not for a second," the blonde replied. "I know how tough you are."

The president took a shuddering breath. "I don't feel very tough right now," she said quietly. "Thanks for waking me up."

Kara got up, looking down at the floor somewhat awkwardly. "Don't mention it," she replied. "I'll go and let you get back to sleep."

Alex nodded and settled back down again as Kara made her way out. "Hey… Kara?" she called just as the agent reached the outer door.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"Sweet dreams."

"You too."