Chapter 1

"Good night Mr. President."

"Good night Ron. How many tonight?"

"Sir, there'll be four in the hall outside your suite and ten outside on the grounds. And we have a few other people placed strategically around the Embassy compound."

"Any more threats?"

"No, sir. It's been very quiet." What Ron didn't tell the President was that the silence made him even more nervous. Silence usually meant that plans had been made and were close to being carried out.

"That's good."

"Yes, sir. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Ron."

Jed closed the door to the VIP suite in the American Embassy in Moscow. For security reasons, the Secret Service felt they could better protect the First Couple inside an already fortified location, rather than trying to maintain security in a more public hotel.

"That was a nice state dinner, wasn't it?" Jed moved to the padded chair and sat down, removing his shoes and socks.

Abbey was moving about the suite, getting ready for bed. She had already ditched her dress and slipped into her red silk pajamas. "Yes. But I'm dog tired. How long are you planning on staying up?"

"Well, for once, I think we can go to bed together. I have a long day tomorrow of negotiations and I'll need my wits about me."

"Good. Get dressed, or undressed as the case may be and come on to bed. I'll have to remember this. It's so rare we go to bed at the same time and don't do anything."

"What, I'm not getting any tonight? You teased me all through dinner. That smile, the touch and don't forget the foot up my leg. I almost couldn't stand up and give the toast." Jed smiled at his wife dressed in pajamas, already slipping under the covers.

"You didn't really think so, did you?" Abbey laughed. The argument was familiar.

"Well, you led me to believe that I would."

"Jed, did I 'say' you would?"

"Well, not in those exact words. But there's always hope."

Abbey sighed. There were times she appreciated his persistence about certain things but tonight was just not one of those. "Just shut up and come on to bed. We're both tired and sleep is what we need. Not hanky panky."

"But hanky panky works so well for both of us." He pulled his shorts off and stood in full view of his wife. Just the thought of getting some was already affecting him.

"Jed…"

"I'm not whining."

"Yes, you are. Now put on some pants and come to bed."

"Oh, hell. Okay. Okay. I'm coming." He pulled on his sweatpants but left his t-shirt off. Maybe if Abbey felt his bare chest she would change her mind. He wasn't ready to give up quite yet.

Even as she nestled into his bare chest and ran her fingers through his graying hair, he knew that they would not play tonight. "Any chance at all, sweet knees?"

No answer.

"Abbey, have you changed your mind yet?"

"Nice try, Jed. Go to sleep."

He leaned down and lightly kissed his wife goodnight. "I love you Abigail."

"I do too, Jed. Now close your eyes and go to sleep."

A deep sigh signaled his defeat. 'Oh well, I'll try again tomorrow. She's right. I do need to get some rest.'

They closed their eyes and were soon deep asleep, snuggled up next to each other in their normal sleeping pattern.

Unaware of the danger approaching in the silence of the night.

Approaching in spite of Ron's best efforts.