Summary: Inspired by the Skydiving scene in San Andreas. It's such a beautiful scene and it gets me emotional every time. I hope you enjoy!
Skydive
"Something's wrong!" Elizabeth heard the pilot say from the cockpit.
She turned to Henry, who had accompanied her on this state visit to Russia. She could see the worry she felt reflected in his eyes. They'd been afraid of something like this. Security had been on high alert from the get-go, and they were only about ten minutes away from landing safely back at Andrews.
"Ma'am," she heard Fred say. "We've lost control of the aircraft. It seems to be heading straight for the Potomac.
She felt Henry's hand slip into hers.
"Is there anything we can do?" She asked apprehensively.
"On our current path, we potentially have a clear landing onto the south lawn." Fred answered. "It's our best chance."
"You want to land the plane on the White House lawn?" She asked, incredulously.
She felt Henry's arm slide over her shoulders. "Babe, he's saying we have to jump. We have to abandon the plane."
Elizabeth looked to Henry like he'd lost his mind, but when she saw Fred's nod of confirmation, she took a deep breath.
"You want me to skydive over Washington?" She asked, still not believing this was actually happening.
"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry, it's our best chance." He repeated calmly.
"I don't know how to skydive." She panicked. She'd been read in on all types of safety procedures upon taking her post as Secretary of State, but her knowledge of the next steps escaped her.
"We do. You'll tandem jump with me, ma'am." Fred assured her.
"What about Henry?" She said, turning to her husband.
"It's alright, babe. I'm trained in parachuting too, remember? I can do this." He said, rubbing her arm to help calm her.
"Well then, I'll tandem jump with you." She said, her mind made up.
"No, babe. Let Fred take you. That's his job." Henry knew she was scared, but the secret service was trained to protect her. He needed the best person possible to get his wife to safety.
"Do you know how to tandem jump?" She asked him.
"Yes, but—" He started to argue, but she cut him off.
"Then it's settled." She stated.
"Ma'am, I really must insist—" Fred tried to reason with her.
"No. I'm going with my husband." As much as she deeply respected and trusted her team, she needed to be close to Henry right now.
Fred sighed. They really didn't have time to discuss this. "Alright, ma'am. We'll get you and Dr. McCord suited up.
Minutes later, everyone on the plane had their parachutes on. Nadine was partnered with Fred, and Blake with Frank. Elizabeth thanked God she didn't bring the rest of her staff with her on the trip.
Fred had run through a brief explanation of hand signals for tandem jumpers, so the controller could instruct their partner what to do next.
Now Elizabeth was strapped to Henry. They sat in the open doorway of the plane, their legs dangling over the edge. The harsh wind whipped her hair, the sun caused her to squint.
She looked beside her to Nadine, who was sitting strapped to Fred. They would be the first two to jump, and so, were standing by for when the moment came. Even in this crazy situation, her chief of staff looked calm and collected. She reached out and grabbed her hand briefly. If Nadine was calm, she could be calm too. "Be safe!" Elizabeth shouted over the wind.
"You too, ma'am!" Nadine shouted back.
"Okay everyone, on my command." Fred ordered loudly.
She felt her heartbeat speed up, and as if on cue, she felt Henry's reassuring kiss to her head.
"Now!" Fred yelled.
Henry slid them forward. Before she could take another breath, they were free falling over the streets of Washington.
