"Fall From Grace…"
Summary: House of Cards tale. In an AU S4, Doris and Frank give Claire a lesson in politics she won't ever forget…
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.
Second floor of the home of Congresswoman Doris Jones…Famed African-American Democratic leader, first woman and first black person to win this district in Texas…
Currently hosting both the President and the rumored estranged (but who believes "rumors" these days? Frank eyes us) First Lady, Francis and Claire Hale Underwood.
Claire in fact having instigated the meeting on her own, with Doris, and Frank, pursuing her from the White House, had invited himself to the proceedings, to her intense annoyance…
"This is what I want, Francis. I'll take the seat for the district now and Celia will run in a few years when I'm ready to move on. Doris is on board…Aren't you, Doris?" Claire, stern glance at the older Congresswoman who regarded her impassively as she stood erect returning stare calmly, the calm of many decades of enduring Claire Hales…
Really, Francis, in public…Before a stranger…This sort of stranger…?
Thought I'd taught you better…Claire eyed him grimly.
"So I see." Doris, tight, thin smile.
"A true daughter of the Hales…"
Somehow I sense that's not a…Claire thought as she stood just off the staircase…
"Ebony…" Frank… "And, ivory…" Doris beaming at him, likewise lightly singing…
"Live together in perfect harmony…" together.
"What?" Claire, annoyed.
The field hand and the…elderly Black lady need to get movin' on with their jobs…She turned for the stairs.
Namely to push Claire Hale to her rightful place…Time the field hand, admittedly skillful as he was and as this last tussle with me had proved…And the…lady here relearnt their purpose was to make the way clear and smooth for their betters…Namely…
Both push Claire, one hand each…
High-pitched cry…
I only wish her dear mother could be following her…Frank notes to us, beatific smile, matched by Doris'…
"Argggguuuh…"
"Oh, my dear Claire…" Doris hurried as best a lady of her years might…If content to seem to be hurrying without really trying…Frank following then, politely passing her, with no additional speed…
Wouldn't want to throw such a gracious older lady off her balance, would I? Why Claire would never hear of it, especially to a black gracious older lady she wanted something from…
"Fr…Francis…" Claire reached up to him… "My back…I think it's…Ohhh…I can't feel…Anything…"
"Spine's broken for sure…Look at that twisting…Unholy…" Doris eyed her, noting to Frank. "You know I was a nurse long ago."
"I remember…" Frank nodding, with smile. "Didn't you once bandage my forehead after some loutish fellow decided to throw a rock my way for speaking at your first rally here?"
"Ohhhh…" whimpering moan…
"I did indeed. And you were not the best patient." Doris smiled indulgently.
"Well…I was just overwhelmed by the presence of such a ministering angel…"
Claire, moaning…Twisted now into still more unholy position…Hmmn, Frank stared down.
"Ouch." He noted to Doris who, peering down, agreed.
"Help. The First Lady's fallen." Frank, monotone.
"Someone…Do…Something…" Doris, same monotone. "I think she can't get up…"
"I do believe that you are right, Doris." Frank, nodding.