Trying to keep with the great thirteenth chapter tradition... I hope extra long makes the cut.

Chapter 13

The chill of the Stockholm air bit through the fabric of Tori's tailored coat as she stepped off the plane. The tarmac was a flurry of activity, with Swedish officials and security personnel moving in a well-choreographed dance around her. The Swedish flag fluttered in the breeze, its bold colors standing in stark contrast to the grey sky above.

As the daughter of Chancellor of Yerba, Tori had become accustomed to the pageantry and precision that accompanied such official visits. But today, her mind was elsewhere. She stood on the tarmac, casting a glance toward the horizon, where Air Force One had yet to make its appearance. The President of the United States would be arriving soon, but Tori's thoughts were with the people hidden aboard her plane.

The motorcade assigned to her was already waiting, black sedans lined up like soldiers at attention, their engines purring softly in the cold air. Her own security detail flanked her, their eyes scanning the surroundings with the usual mix of vigilance and suspicion. Yet, despite the tension of the moment, Tori felt oddly detached, her mind spinning with the intricacies of the plan she had set in motion.

Trina and the children were stowed away on her plane, hidden carefully among the diplomatic cargo. It had been a risk—an enormous one—but there was no other way. Yerba was becoming too dangerous, and Tori knew the regime wouldn't hesitate to use her sister and nieces against her if given the chance. She had arranged everything down to the last detail, but the success of their escape hinged on a single, desperate gamble: Trina asking for asylum from the U.S. security detail.

Tori had seen the arrival of American presidents before, but now, every movement, every action of the U.S. security team seemed magnified, heavy with significance. They were a force to be reckoned with, their discipline and coordination evident even from a distance. Would they listen to Trina? Would they believe her story and act quickly enough to keep her safe?

The doubts gnawed at Tori as she allowed herself to be guided toward the waiting car. Her expression remained impassive, the practiced mask of a leader who could not afford to show any sign of weakness. But inside, she was anything but calm. She could feel her heart racing, each step she took toward the motorcade a reminder of the stakes at play.

Just before she entered the vehicle, Tori paused and glanced back at her plane. It loomed against the sky, a symbol of power, of her position, but also of the fragile plan she had set into motion. Somewhere inside, Trina was waiting, trusting her sister's judgment, trusting that this plan—this wild, desperate plan—would work.

Tori took a deep breath, sending up a silent prayer for Trina and the children. She prayed that the U.S. security would see the truth in her sister's plea, that they would act quickly and decisively. And most of all, she prayed that this gamble would pay off, that they would all make it out of this dangerous game alive.

"Chancellor?" Aneka, gestured toward the car, a polite reminder that the motorcade was ready to depart.

Tori nodded, sliding into the back seat of the sleek, black sedan. As the door closed behind her, she forced her mind back to the immediate concerns of the summit ahead. But even as the motorcade began to move, the wheels humming against the cold asphalt, she couldn't help but glance once more toward the sky, waiting for the distant sound of Air Force One descending from the clouds.

Trina's heart pounded in her chest as she clutched the hands of her twins, Geo and Georgia, urging them forward with every ounce of strength she had. The cabin of the plane was eerily silent now, the crew having dispersed to their duties, leaving her alone with her thoughts and her fear. She couldn't afford to hesitate. This was their only chance.

With a deep breath, she opened the door to the cabin and stepped out onto the tarmac. The biting cold hit her immediately, but she barely registered it. Her eyes were fixed on the small group of men in black suits standing near the edge of the runway, their sharp, observant gazes scanning the surroundings as they awaited the arrival of Air Force One.

"Stay close, and don't look back," she whispered to Geo and Georgia, her voice trembling slightly. The twins, sensing the urgency in their mother's voice, nodded and gripped her hands even tighter. Their small legs moved as fast as they could, trying to keep up with Trina's long strides.

Trina's mind raced with the possibilities of what could go wrong, but she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing only on the men ahead. They were her lifeline, the last hope for safety for her and her children. The ground seemed to stretch out endlessly before her, each step feeling like it took an eternity, but she knew she had to keep moving, had to make it to them before anyone noticed what she was doing.

Behind her, the roar of Air Force One's engines filled the air as the massive plane descended, its shadow falling over the tarmac like a giant omen. It touched down with a thunderous boom, the ground vibrating beneath their feet. Trina's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't slow down. If anything, the urgency of the moment pushed her to move even faster.

The Secret Service agents had begun to turn their attention toward the arriving plane, their stances shifting in preparation for the President's disembarkation. They hadn't noticed her yet. She had to get to them before they were fully engaged, before the weight of their responsibilities made them less likely to listen to a desperate woman running toward them.

"Mama, I'm scared," Georgia whimpered, her small voice barely audible over the noise of the plane.

"I know, baby, but we're almost there," Trina replied, her voice tight with determination. "Just keep running, we're going to be okay."

The distance between her and the men in black was closing, but not fast enough. She could see their faces now, the stern expressions, the way their hands rested near their weapons out of instinct. They still hadn't seen her, their attention divided between the plane and their surroundings.

Just a little further.

Trina's breath came in ragged gasps, her legs burning with the effort, but she pushed through the pain, pulling Geo and Georgia along with her. They stumbled slightly, but she didn't let them fall, her grip on their hands firm and unyielding. They were so close now, just a few more steps.

One of the agents finally noticed her. His eyes widened in surprise, and his hand moved to his earpiece as he stepped forward, his other hand hovering near his gun. Trina locked eyes with him, pleading silently for him to understand, to help them.

"Please," she mouthed, the word barely formed as she reached out toward him.

Geo tripped, almost pulling Trina down with him, but she caught him just in time, her other arm stretching out toward the agent. Georgia was crying now, her tiny legs barely able to keep up, but Trina kept going, kept pushing.

The agent's expression softened just a fraction, but there was still hesitation in his movements, a wariness that Trina knew she had to overcome. She willed herself to keep moving, to close the last few feet between them. Her breath came in short, desperate bursts, her body running on pure adrenaline.

Finally, she was within reach, her fingers brushing against the sleeve of the man's suit. She looked up at him, her eyes wide and filled with fear, but also hope.

Jade West and her daughter, Hazel, had been waiting inside Air Force One for nearly twenty minutes. The plane had landed, but the usual smooth transition from aircraft to tarmac was delayed. Jade, growing impatient, signaled for her aide.

"What's the hold-up?" she asked, her voice steady but with a hint of irritation. "We should be out there by now."

The aide, a young woman with a clipboard, approached quickly. "Madam President, there's been an unexpected situation. A woman from Yerba has approached our security detail, seeking asylum for herself and her children."

Jade's curiosity was piqued. "Yerba? Who is she?"

"She's requesting to speak with you directly. She claims to have urgent information and insists on being granted asylum immediately."

Jade's expression grew serious. Only a high ranking person would dare. Could it be Tori? She'd picked up on some unrest in Yerba recently. Tori had been making sweeping changes. "I want to meet her. Let's go."

The aide nodded and led the way. Jade and Hazel disembarked the plane and walked down the steps, the cold air of Stockholm hitting them as they stepped onto the tarmac. The media buzzed around them, capturing every moment. After the requisite photo ops, Hazel was escorted to a vehicle in the motorcade while Jade was guided toward a waiting SUV.

Inside the SUV, Jade's mind was racing. When they arrived at the designated spot, she saw a woman standing with her children, surrounded by a tight security detail. The woman looked anxious and exhausted, her clothes slightly disheveled.

Jade approached, her eyes narrowing in recognition. "Trina?"

Trina Vega,Tori 's sister, and once a prominent figure in Yerba's regime, now looked like she had been through hell. Her children clung to her, their faces pale and frightened.

"Madam President," Trina said, her voice trembling. "I'm so sorry to intrude like this, but I had no other choice."

Jade moved closer, her gaze intense. "What happened? How did you end up here?"

"They ousted me years ago," Trina began, her voice breaking. "The my father noticed the change I was trying to make and made me an enemy of the state." Trina paused and looked at her small children. "I was pregnant and went into hiding. So when my father died I encouraged Tori to come so we could turn Yerba around. I know it's idealistic but we weren't welcome to return to the states and I needed to make the world better for them."

Jade nodded she could understand that as a mother.

"How did you get here?" Jade asked.

"Tori snuck me in… the thing is I don't know if I want to leave Yerba." Trina explained, "The regime has caught wind that they can't control Tori. She is too unpredictable and Since taking over, she's been reforming everything I told her needed reforming. She's made enemies, powerful ones. My father... he was murdered because at the end, they had never been able to predict his whims. They put Tori in power for appearances' sake. But you know Tori—she's no puppet."

Jade's heart sank as she absorbed Trina's words. "Why didn't she come with you?"

"She insisted I seek asylum for my children, and she would continue the work," Trina explained. "She knew the regime was becoming more dissatisfied with her, but I can't leave her alone there. She's in danger, and now they're coming after her for what she's done. She wanted me to get the kids to safety, but I can't abandon her. I need to find a way to help her too."

Jade's mind raced with the implications. "We'll find a way to get the children to safety," she said firmly. "I promise. As for Tori, I'll do everything in my power to ensure she's safe."

Trina's face showed a flicker of relief. "Thank you," she said, tears in her eyes. "I knew I could count on you."

Jade nodded and turned back to the SUV, her thoughts already turning over the logistics of the situation. They drove her back to the motorcade, and joined Hazel in her in the vehicle, her curiosity evident. Jade's expression was pensive, her focus on the task ahead.

As the car pulled away, Jade glanced at Hazel, whose innocent eyes reflected concern. "Mom, is everything okay?"

Jade took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "We have a lot to do, Hazel. Yeah, just someone that needed my help."

Tori Vega sat at the designated table for Yerba's representatives, her gaze sweeping over the gathering of international delegates. The room buzzed with low murmurs and the shuffling of chairs as the various representatives took their seats. Tori's mind was a whirlwind of concern and anticipation, her thoughts lingering on the uncertainty surrounding Trina and her children.

Suddenly, a commotion drew her attention. The room quieted as the President of the United States made her entrance. Jade West, flanked by her entourage, moved with an air of confidence and grace. Tori's breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked onto Jade. Every movement, every glance, every gesture seemed to resonate with the depth of their shared history.

Jade's presence seemed almost otherworldly to Tori, a stark reminder of the love she had lost and the pain she had endured. As Jade made her way through the room, her gaze briefly met Tori's. For a moment, it was as if time stood still.

Jade approached Tori's table, her face reflecting a warm yet solemn expression. She leaned in, her voice a soft whisper against Tori's ear. "Trina is safe," she said, her tone carrying a mix of relief and gravity. "We'll talk later."

Tori's heart swelled with a tumult of emotions—relief that Trina was safe, sorrow for the ongoing separation, and a deep, aching longing for Jade. As Jade walked away to her own table, Tori felt a tear slip down her cheek. The sight of Jade, the sound of her voice, and the knowledge of her sister's safety brought both solace and a pang of heartache.

The room seemed to blur around Tori as her soul reached out, silently calling to Jade. The years apart, the struggles, and the unresolved feelings all coalesced into a poignant moment of reconnection. She watched Jade take her seat, her form a distant yet profoundly significant presence in the room.

Tori took a deep breath, her emotions a mix of relief, nostalgia, and an enduring love that transcended the constraints of their circumstances. As she dabbed at her tear-streaked face, she couldn't help but hope for a future where their paths might converge once more, away from the shadows of their past and the complexities of their present.