Eddy was met at the gate by two Secret Service Agents. They attempted to smile when they saw her, but when was the last time anyone saw emotion from a member of the Secret Service.
"Don't look so serious," Eddy said as she approached them. "You're not even on duty."
"Welcome home Agent Winthrop," One of the agents said.
"Thank you," Eddy said with a frown that was more comical than serious.
"Come along," The Agent said. "We'll get your bags and be on our way."
"Good idea," Eddy winked and walked towards the baggage claim.
At the baggage claim, Eddy watched as bags went around the carousel. They flew up the ramp and then slid down. To Eddy it looked like a machine throwing up. She started laughing and the two agents just looked at her.
"Relax boys, you're new aren't you?" Eddy asked. "On duty have a stone face, but off duty breath."
"Agent Winthrop, we are on duty." The agent replied.
"Do you speak?" Eddy winked at the second agent. "You really should make sure you move your mouth every now and then. Otherwise it might get stuck in the off position."
The agents just looked at her and then the first spoke on a radio. "We have Raven and we are coming in."
"Raven, is that what they call me?" Eddy laughed. "It's a good thing I don't have spiky hair. You might be calling me Cockatoo."
Eddy's bags finally arrived and they left the airport. The limo drove though Washington and stopped at a world famous address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Eddy got out of the limo first and walked right to security. She pulled out her ID, handed over her gun and walked through the metal detector. Once on the other side she was stopped by a Marine guard. "Ma'am, may I see that ID again please?"
"Is something wrong?" Eddy asked.
"One moment please," The Marine said taking the ID and picking up the phone. "Sir, I have a blue badge here. Agent Edwina Winthrop Sir, yes Sir Secret Service. No Sir, I didn't ask. One moment Sir," He then turned to Eddy. "Ma'am, do you have an appointment?"
"I work for the Secret Service," Eddy said incredulously.
"Yes Ma'am we have your name here but the badges were changed to green last week." The Marine replied.
"I've been out of the country. I'll get my new one today." Eddy replied.
Eddy turned to the two agents who picked her up at the airport. "Now would be a good time to practice moving your mouth."
"Sergeant she's clear, she's not on White House detail." The agent said. "She'll be re-authorized this afternoon."
"Yes Sir, thank you." The Sergeant said and they were on their way.
Eddy arrived at James Crowley's office and walked in without knocking. He didn't mind and actually smiled when he saw her plop down into a chair. They had a special relationship. While not that far apart in age, James had taken on a parental role towards her. He was the only person who attended both her weddings, wondering each time if she had lost her mind by the selections she had made for a husband. "Welcome home."
"Thanks, a couple of questions, why am I here? Why were the badges changed? And why the hell am I here?
"We were at a red alert last week, we had to change because of a possible breech. Only the White House badges were changed, those of you in the field will be changed over the next few weeks. As for why you are here, I need you to handle an assignment."
"James, I was in the middle of setting up security for two diplomats, isn't there someone else who can do this?" Eddy asked. It was not like her to question him, but if she was brought back to DC it meant one thing. Physical protection of someone, and she didn't want to do that. Since the death of the Senator, she preferred to handle the administrative side, security clearances and then like.
"Eddy, I need you." James said. "I wouldn't trust anyone else."
"By the way what's with the code name? Why did they call me Raven?" Eddy asked.
"Let's go for a walk and I will explain everything." James said getting up and putting on his jacket. They walked down the corridor and outside to a quiet area.
"Two days ago someone tried to take out a prominent Washington socialite. We will be providing her with protection. Or should I say you will be providing the protection."
"Why are we protecting a socialite? Isn't that the job for the Metro Police or a private security company?" Eddy asked.
"This comes from high up," James replied. "This comes from the President. This isn't any ordinary socialite. She's a former Russian code breaker for the NSA."
"Who is she?" Eddy asked.
"Porter Webb," James replied and handed her a folder. "Get to know everything about her, you start tomorrow morning."
"Why tomorrow? Shouldn't I start tonight?" Eddy questioned.
"She's still in the hospital, with protection there. She'll be home tomorrow. Her 'niece' is coming to town to help her out." James explained.
"Her niece – since when do we go undercover?" Eddy asked. "What's going on?"
"We don't want the attacker to know she has protection," James replied.
"What about her own family?" Eddy asked. "Shouldn't they be helping her out?"
"She has one son," James said. "He could probably arrange something, but he's too close to the situation."
"So what am I supposed to do tonight?" Eddy asked.
"Go see some friends, they're in Washington." James smiled and handed her car keys and her new ID. "It doesn't belong to us, so don't wreck it."
"Yes Sir," Eddy smiled and walked away.
"Eddy, it's good to have you home." James called after her. Eddy turned and winked.
She was escorted to her car, a cherry red Ferrari convertible. She slid behind the wheel and ran her hands over the leather. Never in a million years could she afford a car like this. She started the engine, depressed the clutch and took off. It was exhilarating. She sped through DC and headed out towards the toll road. She was surprised that after all these years she still remembered the roads. Twenty minutes later she was pulling into JAG headquarters. She showed her ID to the guard, was given a visitors' pass and instructions on where to park. She then made her way to the JAG offices. There was a hum of activity around her and a sea of uniforms. It had been a long time since she had been surrounded by so many military uniforms. She got a little nostalgic but that feeling went away as quickly as it developed.
"May I help you?" A petty office asked approaching her.
"Yes, Petty Officer... Coates," Eddy said looking at Coates' name tag. "I am looking for either Commander Rabb or Commander Turner."
"They're both in court right now." Coates replied. "Is there someone else who can help you?"
"No that's okay," Eddy replied. "It wasn't important and I should have made an appointment."
At this moment, Tiner happened to approach the two, quizzically looked at Eddy and then noticed the bulge in her side. He realized it was a gun and immediately motioned for security, "Ma'am, why don't you just wait right here." Tiner stated, walked to AJ's office and advised him of the situation. AJ quickly entered the bullpen to survey the situation. He was shocked at what he saw. In the few seconds that had lapsed, Eddy had overtaken the guard, had him on the floor with her gun trained on him and was holding her ID above her head.
"What the hell is going on here?" AJ bellowed.
"Admiral, my name is Special Agent Edwina Winthrop. My apologies for the confusion, I'm with the Secret Service and I was in the area and thought I might look up some old classmates." Eddy stated showing her ID.
"With such an entrance, you must be looking for Commander Rabb." AJ signed.
"And Commander Turner," Coates added.
"Tiner, did you ask for ID?" AJ questioned.
"Well, no Sir. I noticed the gun and thought it best to act quickly." Tiner replied.
"The Commanders should be done shortly, would you care to wait in my office, Agent Winthrop?" AJ offered.
"Thank you, please call me Eddy." She smiled and followed AJ to his office.
"It's my turn to apologize," AJ said once they were in the office.
"No need, his instincts are good." Eddy replied. "I should have identified myself."
"So you went to the Academy?" AJ asked.
"Class of 1985, spent a few years working in intelligence and was then transferred to the Secret Service." Eddy replied. AJ and Eddy chatted while she waited for Harm and Sturgis. They discussed current events as well as their careers. Twenty minutes had passed when Harm and Sturgis entered the office.
"Admiral, Tiner said there was a Secret Service agent here to see us." Harm said entering the office with Sturgis.
"You could say that." AJ replied as Eddy stood and turned to face them.
"Winkster, what are you doing here?" Harm said giving her a hug.
"Hey Winkie, it's been a long time." Sturgis smiled and joined the hug.
"You guys look great!" Eddy laughed and hugged them both.
"Excuse me," AJ said. "A little order please."
"Sorry Sir," Sturgis said and all three came to attention.
"At ease," AJ smiled. "Especially you Eddy, you're not even in the service anymore."
"Old habits die hard," Eddy laughed.
"We have to get back to court," Sturgis stated.
"Can we get together for dinner?" Harm asked.
"That would be great, bring some friends along." Eddy said. "I need to hang with some Americans. I've been away too long."
"Great, tonight," Harm said. "How does seven at McMurphy's grab you? Coates will give you the address."
"It grabs me just fine," Eddy smiled and ran her hand across Harm's brow. "Oh Hubbell, you're looking good."
"I totally forgot about that," Sturgis said laughing as they left.
"Shut up Sturgis," Harm grumbled as they left the office.
"Hubbell?" AJ queried.
"Long, long story," Eddy laughed. "Will you be joining us this evening?"
"It appears it will be interesting, I wouldn't miss it." AJ smiled.
Eddy arrived at McMurphy's at 7:15 pm. She stood in the door and looked at Harm and Sturgis with their friends laughing and joking. She needed a night with friends before she began this assignment. She needed to remove any and all thoughts from her head for one night before she entered into the world of Porter Webb. As she peered through the window she saw Harm standing with AJ, she saw a man and woman who appeared to be a couple and recognized the two petty officers she met earlier. Eddy laughed a small laugh and opened the door. "Is anyone going to buy a weary traveler a drink?"
"Winkie, it's about time." Harm laughed and walked over to greet her.
"Ma'am, I'm really sorry about that incident earlier today," Tiner said walking over.
"Get me a drink and all is forgiven," Eddy winked. "Besides, I told the Admiral that you showed good instincts."
"You really think so?" Tiner asked. "Maybe I should consider the Secret Service."
"Slow down there cowboy," Eddy laughed. "Concentrate on the Navy for now."
Sturgis walked over to Eddy and handed her a cranberry juice with a twist of lime. "You still drink these don't you?"
"Yeah, although sometimes I just go for straight cranberry juice," Eddy replied taking the drink. There was an awkward pause between them and Tiner felt a little uncomfortable. "It was nice seeing you again Agent Winthrop."
"Tiner, please call me Eddy," She replied with a smile.
"You never wrote," Sturgis said.
"Neither did you," Eddy replied. "We were supposed to stay in touch, what happened?"
Sturgis shook his head and smiled. He didn't have an answer, but he did know that when they said good-bye they promised to stay friends. "Did you ever find that special person?"
"Twice and divorced them both, in less than 10 years." Eddy laughed. "What about you?"
"I was involved with a woman, she was from Michigan." Sturgis said.
"The congresswoman," Eddy replied.
Sturgis nodded, "I recently met a singer."
"Varese Chestnut," Eddy smiled.
"Have you been keeping tabs on me?" Sturgis laughed.
"Always," Eddy smiled and walked away, "Hey Hubbell, who's the woman on your arm?"
"This is Colonel Sarah MacKenzie," Harm said as Mac turned around.
"Please call me Mac," Mac said with a smile.
"It's nice to..." Eddy began and stopped.
"Eddy?" Harm said touching her arm.
"Do you realize she looks just like..." Eddy stumbled.
"I know," Mac said with a warm smile.
"My apologies," Eddy smiled back and snapping out of it, "Please call me Eddy."
"Hey I just realized, you're both female marines with male monikers," Bud said walking over with Harriet.
"Allow me to introduce Bud and Harriet Roberts," Harm said.
"Nice to meet you both, I'm Eddy." She smiled.
"The Commander tells us you went to the Academy with him and Commander Turner." Harriet stated.
"Lucky me, I guess." Eddy laughed. "They were quit a pair, actually it was more of a quartet."
"That's right, you would know Commander Keeter and Lt. Schonke." Bud said.
"I was Diane's roommate," Eddy replied. "What ever happened to Jack?"
"Wow, their names are Jack and Diane, like the song." Coates said joining them.
"She and I used to laugh about that all the time." Eddy laughed and then stopped. "It was awful what happened to her, would you excuse me?"
"I'll be right back," Harm said following her. "Eddy, wait up. We're used to it. I don't even see her as a Diane look alike anymore, she's just Mac."
"I was on assignment when it all happened. I never got to say good-bye." Eddy replied.
"None of us really got to say good-bye," Harm stated and put an arm around her.
"Well, enough of that," Eddy said with a smile, "Let's have some fun."
"Why do the Commanders call you Winkie?" Coates asked.
"The first time we met her, she made a joke and winked at us." Sturgis said. "Harm thought she was trying to pick him up."
"I'm a winker." Eddy smiled.
"Eddy, why are you in the States?" Harriet asked. "I heard you spent most of you time overseas."
"I was called back for a special assignment." Eddy replied.
"Really, what is it?" Coates asked.
"Sorry, that's classified." Eddy replied.
"Classified, god you sound just like Webb." Mac groaned.
"Webb," Eddy said taken aback, how could they know.
"Clayton Webb, he works for..." Harm began.
"Did someone say my name?" Webb asked walking over to the group.
"What the hell are you doing here?" AJ asked.
"Nice to see you as well AJ," Webb replied with sarcasm. "I need to speak with Harm."
"Oh lord, what now?" Mac asked as Harm walked to Webb.
"You asked me for a favor, I'm here to deliver." Webb replied handing Harm a file.
"Thanks," Harm replied and quickly glanced at the file. "This is a big help. I owe you."
"Yes you do," Webb replied. "You have no idea what it took to get this."
"How's your mother?" Harm asked. "I heard she took a fall."
"She's okay, thanks for asking." Webb said.
"Hey, if she needs anything, call me." Harm said. "Why don't you stay and have a drink with us?"
"What's the occasion?" Webb asked looking at the crew at the bar.
"An Academy friend is in town." Harm said. "Winkie, come here."
"What's up?" Eddy said walking over.
"Clayton Webb, this is Winkie Winthrop." Harm said making the introductions.
"Winkie?" Webb asked.
"Actually it's Edwina, please call me Eddy." She replied.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. You're an Academy buddy?" Webb replied.
"That I am, but these jokers joined the Navy," Eddy smiled. "I joined the Marines."
"Are you still in?" Webb asked.
"No, I retired a few years back. Now I work for a security company." Eddy replied. She wanted to talk to Webb a bit. She couldn't believe the coincidence that she was meeting the son of the woman she was supposed to protect.
"Really," Webb said in disbelief.
"And what do you do?" Eddy asked, already knowing the answer.
"I work for the State Department," Webb stated.
"Oh really," Eddy smiled. "So you work for the government too." She had spent the better part of the afternoon reading about the Webb family. It didn't mention that Clayton Webb was a liar. "That must be fascinating work."
"I'm sure it's not as interesting as being a security guard." Webb said sarcastically.
"I never said I was a security guard," Eddy replied with a glare. "I said I worked for a security company."
"Then what do you do for the security company?" Webb asked.
"You could say I am a bodyguard," Eddy replied.
"Really," Webb said with amusement.
"Excuse me Mr. Webb, don't look so amused. You would be rather surprised by my credentials. I happen to work for the world's most efficiently trained protection agency. I'm sure you have seen us. We're usually seen next to the President of the United States. You know the ones in dark suits and dark sunglasses. We're the real men in black, better known as the Secret Service." Eddy said as she practically jumped down Webb's throat. She then turned on her heel and walked away.
"Did she just say secret service?" Webb asked, "As in the Secret Service?
"That she did," Harm laughed.
"I think I'll be going now," Webb replied and left.
"Where'd Webb go?" Mac asked joining Harm.
"I think Eddy's career surprised him. You know how Webb hates surprises." Harm laughed.
"Is she okay?" Mac asked. "I forget I am still a ghost at times."
"She's fine," Harm stated. "It just took her by surprise."
"Hey Hubbell, how about a song?" Eddy called out.
"I know the perfect song," Sturgis laughed and he and Eddy began to warble 'The Way We Were'. "Memories like the corners of my mind, misty water colored memories of the way we were...." They sang in unison until they couldn't sing anymore because of their laughter.
"Ok, ok, enough," Harm said.
"Hubbell, I get it." AJ started laughing.
"What's going on?" Mac asked.
"One night during break, we went to a Karaoke bar," Eddy laughed.
"The guy in charge asked Harm if he wanted to sing a song." Sturgis continued.
"Of course, Harm said yes." Eddy laughed. "The guy cued up 'The Way We Were' and Harm sang. The patrons went wild. Saying how great he was and everything."
"Ok enough, they don't need to hear this story." Harm interrupted.
"Sure we do," Mac said.
"This guy comes over and buys Harm a drink and tells him how wonderful he was and that it gave him goose bumps," Eddy laughed trying to get the words out. "He said he was better looking than Redford in that movie and he would be his Barbra any day."
"I look around and notice that Eddy is the only woman in the bar." Harm groaned.
"The rest of the night the people just kept yelling 'Hubbell Hubbell' to get Harm to sing another song." Eddy laughed. "Come to think of it, you did sing another song. What song was it?"
"People," Harm mumbled.
"What?" Bud asked.
"I said I sang People." Harm said loudly. "They only had Streisand music in the machine."
"How many phone numbers did you get that night?" Eddy asked.
"Shut up," Harm replied. "I always wondered who picked that place anyway."
"Keeter," Eddy laughed.
"He wasn't even there," Harm said.
"Who do you think took the video?" Sturgis laughed.
"Ever since then I've called him Hubbell." Eddy smiled.
Everyone had a good laugh at Harm's expense and Mac wanted to know where the tape was. Eddy informed the group that she had it and would make sure they got a copy. It was getting late and the group said their good nights and dispersed leaving Sturgis and Eddy sitting on bar stools chatting.