POTUS
4
Kara was brooding with a glass of scotch sitting in front of her. She'd gone straight to her favorite bar, after leaving the White House, and it was getting close to one in the morning. She hoped Alex was getting some sleep.
"You're looking kinda miserable," a woman said as she climbed up onto the stool next to her. "Kara, isn't it?"
Cool blue eyes met the woman's green as the agent sucked in a breath. "I'm not looking for company."
The newcomer chuckled. "That's what you said the last time, and we still ended up in that motel room… before you threw me out, that is."
Kara suddenly remembered the woman from a couple weeks previously. "Then why bother approaching me again. I seem to remember your being pissed."
"When I saw you, the first thing I remembered was how fucking amazing the sex was… so… I guess you're forgiven." The woman shrugged and took a sip from her glass. "My name is Lilly, by the way."
Kara just nodded and looked back at her glass, running her fingertip around the rim as she debated with herself for a moment. Then she knocked back the amber liquid and slid down from the stool to head for the bathroom, casting a come-hither look back at the brunette over her shoulder.
Lilly smiled and finished her own drink before following the agent and, when she pushed the bathroom door open, Kara grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside, into a stall. She carefully locked the door and then groaned as she was suddenly shoved against it and the brunette's lips crashed into hers. Then Lilly's tongue was in her mouth and, as they kissed hungrily, Kara spun them, pushing the younger woman against the door and pinning her hands over her head. "Do you want me to fuck you?" she rasped quietly into the woman's ear.
The brunette nodded, chest already heaving aroused breaths from the anticipation of what was to come.
"I need you to say it," Kara urged, eyes half-lidded as she tightened her grip.
"Please… fuck me," the younger woman begged.
Kara's body, thrumming with need since she'd barely stopped herself from kissing the president, growled in response and she let go of Lilly's wrists to grasp her dress and shimmy it up above her hips. As her hand slipped between the younger woman's thighs, she closed her eyes at the warm wetness she found and moved her panties aside to slip two fingers inside her.
Lilly moaned and pushed her hips forward to take Kara deeper. The blonde eased down one strap of the brunette's dress and freed her breast, teasing and worrying its nipple with her lips and tongue as she upped her pace, adding her second hand to rub teasing circles around her clit. The younger woman's arms came around Kara's shoulders and one hand grasped into her hair in encouragement. "Oh God… don't stop…"
And Kara didn't. She thrusted harder and faster, eyes closed as she pictured a beautiful face with brown eyes in her mind. And when she felt Lilly clench around her fingers and heard her whimper quietly through her orgasm, Kara was far away in another place… another time… in a king-sized bed wrapped around a beautiful, amazing and powerful woman.
"Alex," she groaned out, forehead pressed against Lilly's collarbone.
"My name is Lilly," the brunette chuckled, placing a soft kiss on the agent's head as she withdrew her fingers and took a shuddering breath.
Kara was aching with need... throbbing... wet… but when Lilly's hand snaked down between them, she caught it and shook her head. "No… no, don't." She drew back and turned away, and the younger woman sighed.
Straightening her underwear and dress, Lilly shook her head. "Whatever's going on with you, Kara," she said. "I hope you find peace." There was no malice in her tone though and she exited the stall without as much as a look back.
Kara pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes and let the tears come.
Xx
"Tell me everything!" Winn exclaimed as he bustled into the Oval Office, an armful of files hugged against his chest. "Did you have fun?" Troubled brown eyes lifted, and Alex didn't say anything. "Uh oh," the chief of staff frowned. "You didn't have fun?"
The president got up and moved to sit on the sofa, inviting her best friend to join her. Winn dropped his folders on the coffee table and sat next to her. "On the contrary," Alex said. "We had an amazing night. She went all out. The room was beautifully decorated, she went to a lot of trouble getting the music and lighting perfect, dinner was great, and we had a laugh dancing together."
The chief of staff nodded slowly. "Ok… all that sounds amazing. Why the frowny face?"
"We almost kissed."
"Well, who didn't see THAT coming," Winn muttered. Alex scowled as he laughed softly. "Sorry. It's just that… the chemistry between you is off the scale."
Alex sighed. "If she'd wanted to kiss me, I wouldn't have stopped her… and that scared me, Winn. Kara was the one who pumped the breaks."
The man smiled gently. "Wanting her is not a crime, Alex."
"I know," the president nodded. "But it might as well be one, with the positions we're in." She sighed. "And it fucking hurts."
Winn slid his arms around her and hugged her gently. "I know, Honey, and it's pretty obvious that Kara is struggling with her own feelings… but you have to be careful. Don't make her be the one to constantly hold back, ok? It's exhausting."
Alex nodded her agreement. "Yeah. God," she groaned. "Why do things always have to be so hard, Winn?"
"Having her in your life in any capacity is worth it though, right?"
The president nodded and rested her head on her best friend's shoulder. "Yeah… yeah, it totally is."
Xx
"Do we have anything on that threat on the president's life?" Special Agent Lee asked as she looked at Agent Rhodes and then around at the rest of her senior agents seated in the briefing room. "Did you track the unsub down?"
"We did," Rhodes replied with a chuckle. "Turned out to be a stupid fourteen-year-old kid who didn't want to lose his gas-powered trail bikes. We did the usual background checks and encouraged him to not make stupid threats against the president, by speaking with his horrified parents. I believe he got grounded for six months… not to mention the fact that he almost crapped himself when we showed up at his door."
Kara couldn't help but chuckle, but she was greatly relieved. With the trip to Geneva only two days away, the last thing she needed was to have that threat playing through her mind. "Ok, good job, Rhodes. Anything else for this morning?"
"Goliath called in this morning to say he'd be a bit late. His wife was having some pain, so he wanted to go with her to the doctor's office," Agent Stafford said. She had just joined the team and was fitting in well with the cadence of everything.
"Understood," Kara replied with a nod. "I'll text him. Thanks, Everyone."
The agents filed out, leaving Kara behind to text Taylor to see how everything was going.
Me: Checking in. How's Rachel doing?"
Goliath: Thanks. She's doing ok. The doc took some blood and she's just finished an ultrasound. The pain has subsided and everything looks good
Me: Great, let me know if you guys need anything. Anything at all, Alan
Goliath: Thanks, Boss. Will do. Will text when I'm on the way back to the White House
Satisfied that her friend's family was ok, the agent got up and headed for her office. She had some final details to approve for the Geneva trip and then she was going to head home and get some personal details sorted out. As she was walking down the hallway, she heard her name though and turned to find the president heading for her.
"Morning," Alex said, hands shoved in her pockets as she caught up.
"Morning, Ma'am," Kara replied with a smile.
"Can we talk for a minute… in private?"
"In my office?" Kara asked, chucking a thumb over her shoulder.
"Yeah," the president nodded as they continued along the hallway.
Kara closed the door behind them and went to her desk to half-sit against it. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah," Alex smiled. "I just wanted to say thanks again for last night. I had a fantastic time. No one has ever done something like that for me before."
"You're welcome," Kara replied. "And I had a great time too. It was fun."
"It was," the president grinned. But then her face sobered. "I do want to apologize though for… maybe allowing things to…" But she paused as Kara straightened and held up her hand.
"Please," she said softly, taking a couple of steps closer to the brunette. "Alex… what happened… it took both of us to get there."
Alex nodded and paced slowly back and forth. "I want to be honest and clear the air," she said. "We're attracted to each other…" She paused, and Kara didn't disagree. "And there's nothing wrong with that…" She paused again and her friend nodded with a little smile. "But the last thing I want is for either of us to get into trouble." Kara nodded again. "So, I think we just acknowledge it and move on. I don't want tension between us because you're my friend as well as my protection and I don't want to lose that. Does that sound like a plan?"
The agent nodded, trying to ignore the ache in her chest. "That sounds like a good plan," she replied, glad when her voice remained steady. "Thank you for bringing it up."
The president smiled and squared her shoulders. "Excellent. Ok, then. I should go. I'm pretty sure I'm late for a meeting of some sort. See you later."
"Yes, Madam President," Kara replied as the brunette left the room and closed the door behind her. She moved around her desk to flop down into her chair in frustration. "Fuck."
Outside the closed door, Alex paused and ran her hands through her hair, blowing out a long breath. "Fuck."
Xx
Special Agent Lee's eyes were moving constantly, watching for anything out of the ordinary as the president slowly made her way along a barricade behind which a crowd of clean energy supporters had gathered. The president had stopped her motorcade on the way to the airport and had stepped out to greet them. Kara was at Alex's right side, politely instructing people to keep order as President Danvers shook hands, held babies and hugged little kids.
Alex was smiling, brown eyes twinkling as she greeted people with a warm tone and gentle touch. "Hey, Little One," she said softly as she crouched in front of a child who couldn't see over the barrier and who looked, for all intents and purposes, like she was behind bars. Kara immediately moved to the president's side and crouched next to her. "What's your name?" the brunette asked.
"Annabeth," the little girl said, blinking astonished green eyes at her and Alex almost melted.
"What a pretty name for a pretty little girl," she said and then she looked at Kara. "She's so adorable!"
The agent nodded. "Yes, Ma'am, she is."
The president ruffled the little girl's dark hair and, with a goodbye and a smile for her parents, moved on along the barrier. Kara was already on her feet, and she'd spotted something she didn't like. "Madam President, wait here," she said and then brought her hand mic to her lips. "To my right… twenty feet… male with a backpack sitting on top of the barrier. Someone clear him before I let Supergirl move on."
Alex was having a conversation with a young disabled woman, and she glanced to her right a few times to see what was going on as the Secret Service approached the man and instructed him to open his backpack. She tried to ignore the heated words being exchanged but, when Kara scowled, she excused herself from her conversation and strode toward the man with the backpack.
Special Agent Lee went after her. "Al… Madam President, wait!"
The president pushed gently through the small group of agents. "What's happening, Gentlemen?"
"Taylor! Supergirl!" Kara yelled and the big man immediately turned, shielding Alex and ushering her backwards.
"Please step back, Madam President," he said as he efficiently manhandled her.
The man with the backpack shook his head. "Nice to see that the president has bigger balls than you all. There's nothing but a blanket and sandwiches in the bag. I was going to go to the Reflecting Pool for a picnic lunch."
Then Kara was stepping in front of the president and in a clipped tone, she addressed her boss. "For your safety, return to Limousine One please, Madam President." Her blue eyes were cool, and Alex got the distinct impression that Kara was angry. She sighed as she suddenly realized what she'd done and nodded contritely.
"Ok." The brunette turned and headed back to the Beast, waving to the crowd as she got in. Kara slid in to sit beside her and Taylor closed the door. A moment later, they were pulling away.
Alex didn't say anything. Kara didn't say anything. The rest of the drive to the airport was made in uncomfortable silence.
Xx
It was President Danvers' first time on Airforce One, but her wide-eyed excitement did little to erase Special Agent Lee's anger. Kara couldn't bring herself to speak to the president yet because she felt like just yelling at her. Regardless of the rank of the woman, she couldn't allow POTUS to take stupid risks like that. What if she'd been blown up or…? But the agent shut that down immediately. There was no way on earth she'd allow anything to happen to the president, but she also knew that yelling at her wasn't the solution.
So, as the captain showed Alex around, Kara ducked into a bathroom to lean on the sink and just breathe. She looked at herself in the mirror, noting the deep crinkle between her eyebrows, and concentrated on calming down until her impassive face slid back into place. Then she squared her shoulders, straightened her jacket and stepped out into the hallway.
The captain was heading toward the Presidential Suite and, as they passed each other, Alex gave her lead agent a sheepish, apologetic look. The tightness in Kara's chest began to ease and she offered a little tentative smile in return. Alex looked relieved and she nodded as she followed the captain into her private quarters. Special Agent Lee waited outside the door.
A moment later, the captain stepped out. "Thank you, Madam President, please let me know if there's anything you need. Have a nice flight."
"Thanks, Captain," the president replied, then she stuck her head out into the hallway and offered Kara another contrite look. "Come in. I know you're angry at me and you can yell at me, if it'll make you feel better."
Kara followed the president back into her cabin and shut the door behind her. "I… don't want to yell at you, Madam President…" She sighed then and pinched the bridge of her nose. Her head was throbbing from the unexpected stress and upset. "That's a lie actually. I do want to yell at you but only because you scared me to death, Ma'am."
Alex nodded and sat on a small couch. "I know what I did was stupid, Kara."
The agent came across the room and crouched in front of her boss. "There could have been a bomb in that bag. At that range, you would have been killed."
The president nodded again. "I thought of that, just as Goliath was putting himself between it and me."
Kara's voice was gentle. "I know this is all new… and that it's a lot… And I know that you were used to being on the front lines in Afghanistan... but that's not who you are now. You're the president, and your safety is my highest priority. So, I need you to trust me, Madam President."
"I… I need you to say my name right now," the brunette said, surprising even herself.
"Alex," the agent went on. "I need you to trust me and listen to me. When I ask you to stay put, please… stay put. And when I ask you to move…"
"I need to move," Alex finished for her.
Kara's face eased into a beautiful smile. "And she's teachable."
The president laughed, and it dispelled any remaining tension between them. Alex had an overwhelming urge to hug the agent but then the captain's voice came over the speakers.
"Madam President, all passengers, please take your seats for departure."
The brunette's face fell as she suddenly remembered that, despite the excellent safety rating of Airforce One, she was still nervous of flying. Kara sat next to her and buckled in. "Hey, if you're dying," she teased. "I'm dying with you. And I can tell you, Alex, I ain't dying today."
"Yes, Ma'am," the president replied, leaning against the agent's shoulder and letting out a sigh. The plane started taxiing and moments later, its big engines were propelling it into the air. Alex's grip on Kara's knee eased then. "Sorry," she said, sheepish again.
But Kara just chuckled. "Like I said… no one is dying today."
Xx
The almost nine-hour flight to Geneva went uneventfully and soon, the Beast was pulling up outside the hotel in which President Danvers and her staff were staying. Thanks to Miller's and then Lee's planning, everything went off without a hitch and close to midnight, Kara flipped the bedroom light in Alex's large suite on and smiled over her shoulder at her.
"Tired?" she asked, noting the president's rapid blinking.
"Exhausted," the brunette replied. "You?"
"Yeah," Kara admitted. "Long day. Can I get you anything before I go?"
A hundred things came to the president's mind, most of them featuring a bed and two naked bodies but she just smiled and shook her head. "No, thanks. Get some sleep, Kara. You need it as much as I do."
The agent nodded, rubbing the back of her neck as she made one more visual sweep of the room. "Ok…" She found herself reluctant to leave but made her feet move anyway. "I'll see you in the morning." She turned to head for the door but stopped suddenly and looked back. "Don't go anywhere without me while you're here, ok? Any time of the night or day… please?"
The president's eyebrows drew together. "Are you worried about a credible threat?" she asked.
"No," Kara responded quietly. "Nothing specific. But my…" She paused and chuckled a little. "My spidey-sense is tingling, and I try to not ignore that."
"Got it," Alex smiled. "I promise."
Their eyes met and held. "Goodnight," Kara said.
"Night, Kara," the president replied, then turned and went back into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Kara walked slowly through the suite and out the main entrance to head for her own room.
Xx
"Tally, the chocolate here is INSANE!" Alex exclaimed as her assistant handed her another bar from the hotel gift basket with a bright grin.
"Swiss chocolate is some of the best in the world," the young woman agreed. "I need to bring some back for my Mom."
"I see more hours in the gym in my future," the president muttered, making Tally laugh. "So, what's going on around here?"
The young redhead pulled up the summit's agenda on her tablet. "There's a meet-and-greet lunch at twelve for all the heads of state to hobnob with the clean energy scientists. It's an excellent opportunity to get some face time as the new POTUS."
Just then the main entrance to the suite opened and Chief of Staff Schott rushed inside to take a seat next to his friend on the couch and drop his briefcase on the coffee table. "Morning! Sorry I'm late. I had a call from the White House I had to take."
"Anything serious?" the president asked, popping another square of chocolate into her mouth.
Winn stopped and tilted his head. "Having chocolate for breakfast, are we, Madam President?"
Alex soberly pinched a speck of the tasty treat off his tie with her fingertips. "Like YOU can judge."
The man's eyes widened. "How did THAT get there?" Tally sniggered and shook her head. "Anyway, no, nothing too serious. Just something I forgot to do before I left, and they needed an answer on it."
Tally was rummaging through her own briefcase, and she pulled out a few sheets of paper, stapled together. "I know you've already been through your speech with a fine-toothed comb, Ma'am," she said. "But I wanted to double check with you for any final changes, before I give it to the media manager to load into the auto-prompter."
"No, I'm happy with it," Alex nodded, debating with herself about whether to have more chocolate or not. Her conscience prompted her into going for a banana-filled croissant instead. "What time am I speaking?"
Tally's eyes moved to the schedule again. "You're second to speak, right after the keynote, which starts at three, right after the lunch ends. So, four-ish?"
"Cool," the brunette replied. "Make sure Special Agent Lee knows, ok?"
"She does. I talked to her about it in the gym this morning," the assistant shrugged.
Alex kicked herself for spending an extra hour in bed, instead of getting her workout in. Just then, her phone chimed, and she pulled it out of her pocket, smiling broadly as she read the message.
DaTiger: Just wanted to wish you good luck with the summit, Madam President. Wish I was there with you. Knock their socks off and make some friends. I'm proud of you
"Awww," she whispered, then glanced at her staff as she typed a response. "It's from Cat, wishing us luck."
DaPres: Thanks, Cat. How are Jackie and Carter holding up?
DaTiger: As well as can be expected. Jackie is starting her treatment today. I'll text you an update when we see how she tolerates it
Just then another message popped up and she switched to it.
Muscles: Good Morning, Madam President. Any plans to go anywhere this morning or will you be staying in the suite until it's time to leave for the summit venue?
DaPres: Good Morning, Special Agent Lee. No plans to go anywhere but I remember my promise to you. I won't go anywhere without you
Alex watched as the bubbles indicating Kara was typing appeared and then disappeared… then appeared and disappeared again… then reappeared.
Muscles: Thank you
"Madam President?" Winn's voice broke through her haze. "Everything ok?"
"Yes," the president replied with a smile as she slipped her phone back into her pocket. "Everything is perfect. Now… where were we?"
Xx
"President Danvers!" Alex squared her shoulders as the Russian president stepped in front of her and held out his hand. "Sergei Karkarov. So wonderful to finally meet you in person."
"President Karkarov," POTUS replied smoothly, as she shook it. "The pleasure is mine. How are you enjoying Geneva so far?"
To her surprise, the tall, blonde man wrapped his arm around her waist and started them walking toward the tall windows of the summit venue's break out room. In her peripheral vision, Alex saw Kara frown and move closer to follow them. "Geneva is a beautiful city," Karkarov replied. "I have been here many times over the years." He flashed expensive white teeth. "Perhaps you would permit me to show you around by taking you out on a… how do Americans call it… a date?"
"Uhh…" Alex eased out of his clutches, taking a sip from her coffee cup. "I appreciate the offer, Sir, but I'm very busy on this trip and, while I'm honored that you thought of me, I'm not in a position to enter into any… attachments… right now."
She noticed that Kara was slowly circling them and moving closer, but she gave her a small smile and the agent backed off a little.
"A shame," Karkarov said. "But perhaps we may have a drink and some good conversation at the dinner tonight?"
"Yes, of course," POTUS agreed with a graceful incline of her head. Her smile broadened then as she spotted someone else coming toward them. "Ah… the Afghani president. Have you met him?"
"Yes," the Russian president replied. "A number of times."
President Ashraf Afrashani drew closer and offered a slight bow of his head. "President Danvers, President Karkarov," he greeted.
"President Afrashani, salaam," Alex said respectfully.
"Salaam alaikum," he replied.
Then to his utter shock, Alex went on in Dari as she offered her right hand in greeting. "Chutoor hasta?"
"I am well, thank you for asking. I did not know you spoke Dari, Madam President."
"I spent eight years in your beautiful country, so I learned a little," POTUS said with a smile. "I served in the United States Military."
The Afghani president's face darkened a little. "I had heard that," he said. "I have also heard that you plan to draw your troops back to the United States."
"Inshallah," Alex replied with a smile, and the man's face slowly cleared. "My troops have families they'd like to come home to. And Afghanistan is doing very well under your leadership, Sir."
"Indeed," Afrashani replied. "And yes, we will do Allah's will."
The Russian president excused himself and headed for the next beautiful woman he spotted, which was Kara, until she stared stonily at him long enough to make him change direction. It was all Alex could do to not burst into laughter. Instead, she continued working the room, engaging dignitaries, scientists and other heads of state until her face was sore from smiling.
She took a break to refill her coffee and Agent Lee met her at the beverage table, eyes sweeping over the room continuously as she intimidated everyone into staying away from President Danvers for a few minutes.
"Ok," Alex said in a confidential tone, her back to the room. "You're adorable."
Blonde eyebrows shot up. "I am NOT adorable," the agent protested, keeping her face impassive. Then she blinked as the president's little finger briefly caressed hers.
"I'm the President, you're not allowed to argue with me."
Kara couldn't help the tiny grin that shaped her lips. "Yes, Ma'am."
"President Karkarov asked me out on a date," Alex went on.
The agent pursed her lips. "He doesn't seem like your type," she replied teasingly, and the president laughed, making a few heads in the immediate vicinity turn their direction. "What did you say?"
"No, of course," POTUS chuckled. "But I was nice about it, and he took no for an answer."
"Congratulations," Kara replied. "I don't think that woman is as lucky."
Alex turned around and sipped her fresh coffee, eyes moving in the direction in which Kara was gazing to find the Russian president cornering a petite, dark-haired woman and rubbing a lock of her hair between his fingers. "Oh shit," she said.
"I'll handle this," the agent said and headed toward the woman with a determined stride. "Excuse me, Ma'am, President Karkarov." She glanced at the name badge attached to the woman's messenger bag. "Doktor Weissklein, kann ich dir bei der Flucht helfen?"
The woman immediately nodded to the offer of help to escape. "Of course," she replied, in a soft German accent. "I'd be happy to help you. Excuse me, President Karkarov."
Karkarov opened his mouth to protest but Kara had already whisked the scientist away. "Are you ok?" the agent asked gently. "President Danvers wanted to make sure that President Karkarov wasn't… overstaying his welcome with you."
"Thank you so much," the petite scientist replied. "I was desperately trying to come up with a way to get away from him."
"You're more than welcome. Is there anything else I can do for you, Ma'am?"
"Maybe you could give me your name?" Doctor Weissklein asked.
"Special Agent Kara Lee," Kara replied. "I'm the head of President Danvers' protection detail."
"Ah, Secret Service," the doctor chuckled. "I am in your debt."
"Not at all," Kara responded. "It was my pleasure to be of service." She smiled then and with a little wink, returned to the president's side.
'That was kind of you," Alex said as she munched on a chocolate chip cookie. She offered one to Kara. "Look, a reward."
"Uh… no, thank you, Ma'am."
Alex drew back her hand immediately. "Sorry, Agent Lee. I forgot we were in the real world."
Blue eyes met brown and held for a long moment. Then Kara nodded. "I need to check out your seat in the main hall one last time. See you shortly." She turned and walked away, and Alex felt the aching pain of loss once again. She tried to ease it with another cookie and wished she'd stuck a bar of that excellent Swiss chocolate in her pocket.
Xx
The keynote had been, in a word, boring, and Alex was almost asleep in her chair when she was finally called to speak. It was approaching five and she realized that the keynote speaker must have gone off script in some way to have droned on for almost two hours.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," a voice sounded out around the hall. "Our next speaker, President of the United States of America, Alex Danvers."
Alex got up and twitched her jacket straight. Then she began the walk down the aisle to the podium, noticing Kara mirroring her at the side of the huge room as the crowd applauded her. The agent was speaking into her hand mic and she saw Agents Rhodes and Feeney take up positions near the stage. She took a breath and settled herself, knowing that she was as safe as she possibly could be.
The president took the three steps up to the podium and folded her hands on it, as she'd done a hundred times during her presidential campaign. Then she took a deep breath and smiled, backlit by the huge windows behind her. "Distinguished guests, it is my utmost honor and pleasure to be here with you at this summit on clean energy in the beautiful city of Geneva.
"When I was asked to speak, I took some time to carefully think about what I wanted to say… as President of the United States of America, but also as a human being and a citizen of this planet.
"Humans spend a lot of time looking forward. We think about the next big thing; what piece of new technology we can design and implement; what new drug we can develop for the betterment of all; how much money we can make and how comfortable we can be in our retirement… but we give little thought to what the planet must sacrifice to make those dreams poss…"
The president stopped talking when a woman in the front row of the audience suddenly stood up and pointed toward her with a shrill scream. But, when Alex looked down at herself, expecting to see a red dot or something, there was nothing there. Then she looked at where Kara had been and when she saw the agent running full out toward her, she turned and looked behind her. Through the window, she saw something heading straight for them and her trained military mind immediately supplied her with the information she needed. "MISSILE!" she yelled. "EVERYONE GET DOOOOOOOOOWN!"
Alex crouched behind the podium and covered her head with her arms, only to be bowled over onto her back a second later and covered with a solid body, which curled around her. "Hold on to me," Kara said into her ear, voice steady and calm, and Alex nodded against her cheek as she grasped her friend around the shoulders and closed her eyes.
"Always."
And then the room exploded.