Chapter 351: Congressional Office Building

Thursday, February 2nd, Morning (Eastern Standard Time)

She was sitting in her office for the first time and in what seemed like now a lifetime ago. The last twenty-four or so hours had been a blur since Kari woke her up. The flight back to the District had been a blur, and because everything was so last minute, Izzy and Skye didn't even sit together on the flight.

Once in DC, Kari picked them up and brought them back to the Georgetown House. As she changed into her District Uniform, she called in to party leadership and got her schedule for the day as she referred to it. The next thing she did was called her mom and made peace with her sneaking out like a thief in the night.

The hardest thing she had to do was talk to her two children. Once she finished begging for forgiveness from her formidable mom, the phone was first handed over to Nomi, and then it was Ellis's turn. On the phone, Izzy had to hold back tears as she apologized to her two young children.

Izzy spent the rest of her first day back in The District in meetings and committees. The sun was long since down by the time Izzy and Skye got back to the Georgetown house for a fitful sleep.

That brought her to the now sitting behind her desk, exhausted, and worried. Skye, as always and loyal as ever, sat on the sofa. Skye looked tired but more rested than Izzy felt.

"What's wrong, Izzy?" Skye asked.

"I'm exhausted, and I don't think today is going to be any better," Izzy said.

Skye nodded, "Is it always like this?" she asked.

"My first time," Izzy said.

"Sucks losing your virginity in such a way," Skye said.

"What are you talking about, Skye?" Izzy asked.

"It's not just exhaustion that's bothering you," Skye said.

"Maybe, it's sneaking back to the District, not even saying goodbye to my children," Izzy said.

"It's more than that," Skye said.

Izzy shook her head, "I tried to get a hold of John, but he's been busy doing his part. I'm so, I don't know, out of my depth," Izzy said.

"Could it not be also because you don't know much about what's happening over in Europe," Skye said.

"It would help," Izzy said.

"It doesn't help that the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team is over there?" Skye asked.

"It doesn't," Izzy said.

"Are you sure that's not distracting you?" Skye asked.

Izzy sighed, "There is another unit in the area," she said.

"How would you feel if it wasn't the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team?" Skye asked.

"I'd be relieved," Izzy said.

"What if there were deaths from that other unit?" Skye asked.

Izzy sighed.

"You'd be relieved, but you can't show that. You have to toe the line," Skye said.

Izzy nodded, "I do, but right now, I just want to be a wife and see the wives of the unit members," she said.

"I can understand that," Skye said.

"Where's the but?" Izzy asked.

"I'm sitting on it," Skye said.

"Trying to be sassy?" Izzy asked.

"I thought you needed a chuckle," Skye said.

"Not the time or the place, Skye," Izzy said.

Skye nodded, "Remember when you asked me to take this job?" she asked.

"Vaguely," Izzy said.

"Do you remember the conditions I put on me taking this job?" Skye asked.

"Remind me," Izzy said.

"I said I'd take this job if only I can be a hundred percent honest with you at all times," Skye said.

"Yes, and I remember that I told you that I wanted you to be that truth for me," Izzy said.

"Well, as my role as Keeper of the Representative's Conscience, I feel I must speak," Skye said.

Izzy sighed, "You think I need a reality check?" she asked.

"I know you need one," Skye said.

"So, what does my conscience need to tell me?" Izzy asked.

"You know how you just told me you wanted just to be a wife and be with the other wives of the unit," Skye said.

"Yes," Izzy said.

"Well, when you chose to run for this office, and the people elected you, you fortified that life. You represent the families of one of those units, not just the one that lives in Leighton," Skye said.

Izzy nodded, "I get it," she said.

"Where's your but?" Skye asked.

"I'm sitting on it," Izzy said.

"Leave the bad jokes to me," Skye said.

"And let you have all the fun?" Izzy asked.

"Where's the but?" Skye asked.

"Did it have to sting so badly?" Izzy asked.

"We need the harshness of the truth, sometimes," Skye said.

"So, why did you hold a grudge against Candi for so long?" Izzy asked.

"Let's call it a personal fault," Skye said.

Izzy nodded and looked out her window. "Where's Kari?" Izzy asked.

"She was gone when I woke up," Skye said.

Izzy nodded, "I wonder what she's up to," she said.

"It's Kari; it could be anything," Skye said.

Izzy nodded, "True," she said.

As Izzy finished her statement, the door opened up, and Kari steps through. The blonde woman carried a cardboard tray with three cups of coffee and a bag from a bakery.

"Sorry, I'm late; there was a line at the bakery, and traffic was a killer. One little crisis and people forget how to drive," Kari said, put the bag and tray down on Izzy's desk.

"Where were you?" Izzy asked.

"I told you the bakery you like," Kari said and closed the still open office door. Kari turned to look at Izzy.

"What's up?" Izzy asked.

"I went to see our mutual friend from the world's largest office building," Kari said, walked to the desk, and passed out the coffees. Next, she went into the bag and pulled out a scone.

"Oh really, what did he have to say?" Izzy asked.

"Not much as you would think," Kari said.

"What he did share?" Skye asked before Izzy could get the words out.

"They're still don't know much, but there were causalities, but the details are a bit sketchy for our friend right now," Kari said.

"What can you tell us?" Izzy asked.

"It's not great news," Kari said.

"Just rip the band-aid off," Skye said.

"I do know the unit involved," Kari said.

"What is it?" Izzy asked.

"Delta Company, First Battalion, of the One Hundred Twentieth Infantry Regiment," Kari said softly and laced with concern.

"My God," Skye said.

Izzy bit her tongue and let the silence settle like an oppressive weight on the world.