I'm trying to shake the lag guys... I was fighting it yesterday and almost finished one of these peripheral weekly stories... this is not the one. but I love this story a lot. so I did a little working of this.
Chapter 20
Anxiety was heightened in the Situation Room. Jade sat at the head of the long table, flanked by her top military and intelligence advisers. Screens on the far wall showed live feeds of intelligence from Yerba, maps of the region, and data streaming in from satellites. A secure video call was connected with General Trina Vega, still stationed in Germany, overseeing the immediate aftermath of Carlos Vicente's hospitalization.
Across from the President sat the Chancellor, composed and serious, her face betraying nothing of the personal... history they shared. There was a mission in front of them, and both women were more than capable of compartmentalizing their emotions for the sake of a plan.
it was a solid plan. they just needed to get the Join chiefs to approve.
General Vega's voice crackled through the secure line. "Madam President, Chancellor, the situation on the ground is complex. We've identified at least three factions within the Yerbanian military: one loyal to Chancellor Vega, one neutral but ready to side with whoever holds power, and one heavily aligned with the opposition forces."
Tori crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. "Which faction poses the greatest threat to a controlled invasion?"
"That would be the opposition forces," Vega replied. "They've been stockpiling weapons for months, possibly years. The moment they see foreign troops land on Yerbanian soil, it's going to get messy. But…" Vega hesitated, "if we move quickly, target strategic locations, and neutralize their command, we can minimize the damage."
Jade glanced at her Joint Chiefs, then leaned forward, her voice calm but firm. "How many troops would we need for this operation?"
General Sterling, head of the Joint Chiefs, cleared his throat. "Given the intelligence from General Vega, we're looking at a minimum of 5,000 ground troops. We'll need air superiority from the start—fighters and drones—along with a few hundred Special Forces operatives to carry out targeted strikes on opposition leadership. Timing will be everything."
Tori's eyes narrowed as she considered the numbers. "What about the opposition inside Yerba? The civilians? We have underground movements that are ready to resist. What do you need from them?"
Sterling looked to Jade, who nodded, allowing him to continue. "We'd need coordination. We can provide the muscle, but the opposition within Yerba will need to create diversions. They need to control the flow of information, cut off the loyalist forces from receiving reinforcements, and provide us with real-time intel on enemy movements."
Tori nodded, her mind already working. "I can get you that. The underground movement is loyal to me. But they'll need assurances. Many of them have families at risk."
Trina interjected. "We're already working with Yerbanian contacts to ensure safe zones for civilians. But once we initiate the invasion, it's going to be a bloodbath in certain regions."
A tense silence settled over the room. Jade's eyes flicked to Tori, studying her for a moment before speaking. "We need to make sure we're not just storming in. This has to look like liberation, not a foreign occupation. If we're going to do this, it's got to be quick and decisive. We can't afford a prolonged conflict."
Tori's expression hardened. "I don't want a prolonged conflict either. But we need to be realistic. My country has been in a state of quiet war for years now. If the opposition feels they're backed into a corner, they'll fight to the death. They don't want me in power, and they certainly don't want foreign forces involved."
Jade leaned back in her chair, her fingers tracing the edge of the table as she weighed her next words. "What about the media? We're going to have cameras on this operation from the moment it begins. If this looks like an invasion, I'll have every politician from both parties coming after me. We need the narrative to be clear: this is a coordinated effort to restore democracy to Yerba."
Tori's eyes met Jade's across the table. "And it will be. But we need to move fast. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes."
General Vega spoke up again. "I suggest a two-pronged approach. First, covert operatives move in under the cover of darkness to disable key opposition leaders. Once they're neutralized, we can launch the larger invasion. This will minimize resistance and buy us crucial time."
Sterling nodded. "That could work, especially if we can coordinate with the Yerbanian resistance on the ground. But it's a delicate balance. We need the civilians on our side from the start."
Jade's gaze remained steady as she addressed the room. "I need assurances that we're not walking into a quagmire. If this escalates, if we lose control of the narrative or the operation, the political consequences could be disastrous—not just for us, but for Yerba as well."
Tori's voice was sharp but calm. "I'll get you the resistance. I'll make sure the civilians understand what's at stake. But I need you to guarantee that your forces will be surgical in their approach. Yerba can't afford more casualties."
Jade nodded, her expression softening slightly. "I'll make sure it's done right."
For a brief moment, their eyes locked, the tension between them more than just professional. Neither of them said it, but it hung in the air—unspoken, unresolved, the weight of their personal history seeping into the gravity of the moment. Both of them were too proud, too committed to their positions, to acknowledge what lay beneath the surface. Not yet.
General Vega's voice brought them back to the task at hand. "I'll continue gathering intel on the ground and update you as we finalize the plan."
Jade stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Good. Keep me posted. We'll reconvene in 12 hours. By then, I expect a concrete plan of action."
Tori lingered as the room emptied, the Joint Chiefs and advisers filing out one by one. When it was just the two of them left, she let out a small breath, her posture relaxing slightly.
Jade glanced over at her, and for the first time since the meeting started, the formal mask slipped just a little. "This plan of yours… it's risky."
Tori tilted her head, a shadow of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Since when did you shy away from risk?"
Jade's lips quirked into a half-smile. "I never said I did."
They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of what was coming pressing down on them both. Finally, Jade broke the quiet.
"Get some rest," she said, her voice softer. "It's going to be a long few days."
Tori gave a small nod. "You too."
As Tori turned to leave, Jade's voice stopped her at the door. "And, Tori… we'll get you home. One way or another."
Tori looked back, her eyes meeting Jade's. "I know."
And with that, she walked out, leaving Jade standing alone in the dimly lit room, the weight of the impending operation settling over her.
The Oval Office,was silent as Jade sat at her desk, her eyes scanning over the early polling results from New Hampshire. Her fingers drummed rhythmically on the surface of the Resolute Desk, her mind balancing between the weight of her re-election campaign and the looming crisis in Yerba. The press conferences were relentless today—phone interviews with local media in New Hampshire and national outlets digging into every facet of her administration's policies. She was ahead in the primary, but not by enough to feel secure. She needed to create a clear path to victory by Super Tuesday, or this election cycle would be a bumpy ride.
Her eyes flickered to the clock. She had another call scheduled with Iowa campaign leaders, but she was expecting Tori soon. The thought of Tori pulled her out of the political haze, making her mind wander back to the quiet, passionate moments they'd shared earlier in the residence.
A soft knock at the door brought her back to the present.
"Come in," Jade called, her voice steady.
The door swung open, revealing Tori, dressed in black combat pants, a tactical jacket, and boots. Her entire posture screamed readiness, a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy they'd shared just hours ago. There was a fire in her eyes, and the sight of her sent a spark of electricity through Jade's body.
"I hope I'm not interrupting?" Tori asked with a sly smile as she stepped inside, letting the heavy door close softly behind her.
Jade smiled, leaning back in her chair. "You? Never."
Tori strode across the room, her boots making soft thuds on the polished floor as she moved closer. Her eyes glanced over the papers and polls on Jade's desk before settling on the President herself. "The numbers are looking decent," Tori commented, stopping just in front of Jade. "But not exactly a landslide."
Jade sighed, leaning her elbow on the desk and resting her chin on her palm. "New Hampshire's tough. I'm the incumbent, but it's still close. And Iowa's not looking much better. If I can't pull ahead before Super Tuesday…"
"You will," Tori interrupted, her voice confident. She leaned against the desk, her eyes softening as she looked at Jade. "You've survived tougher odds than this. You always do."
Jade's lips quirked into a half-smile. "Is this you giving me a pep talk before heading out to save your own country?"
Tori chuckled softly. "Maybe. Or maybe I just want to know why you're doing this. Why you're running again."
Jade's eyes flicked up to meet Tori's, the question hitting harder than expected. She exhaled slowly, sitting up straighter. "Because I'm not finished. There's still so much work to be done. Healthcare reform, environmental policies, rebuilding our international alliances—things I've started, but haven't had the time to fully implement. If I leave now, someone else could undo it all."
Tori's gaze was intense as she watched Jade, her expression unreadable. "If you didn't run, if you stepped back… we could just be together. No more politics. No more hiding."
Jade stood from her chair, walking around the desk until she stood in front of Tori, her hand gently lifting Tori's chin so their eyes met. "You know as well as I do that neither of us could ever really step back from this life," she said softly. "Even if I wasn't running, we'd still be who we are. I need to finish this. I owe it to the people who believed in me, and to myself."
Tori sighed, her fingers brushing Jade's hand as she let out a soft laugh. "You always were the idealist. That's what made me fall for you in the first place."
Jade raised an eyebrow. "Just that?"
Tori smirked, leaning forward. "Well, there are a few other things."
"Like?" Jade asked leaning forward.
Without another word, Tori stepped forward, pulling Jade into a deep, passionate kiss. Jade responded immediately, her hands wrapping around Tori's waist as their bodies pressed together. The intensity of the moment was overwhelming, the air between them charged with everything unsaid and unresolved.
In a matter of seconds, Tori had maneuvered Jade back towards the large leather chair behind the desk, pushing her down gently as she straddled her lap. The world outside the Oval Office fell away, leaving just the two of them, hidden in plain sight behind the walls of power.
"For one, you're hot as hell." she whispered and looked around at where she was. She was behind that resolute desk on that famous leather desk chair sitting on the president's lap. Tori pulled back slightly, her lips brushing against Jade's ear. "You know… this moment is a bit of a fantasy many have about this office."
Jade laughed softly, her hands sliding up Tori's back. "A fantasy?"
Tori's voice was low and suggestive. "Mm-hmm. A very specific one."
Jade pulled her closer, their lips meeting again in a slow, sensual kiss. But just as quickly as the heat had risen, Jade broke away with a smile. "We really shouldn't…"
Tori sighed dramatically, resting her forehead against Jade's. "Always so responsible."
"You're about to fly out for a coup, and I have a campaign to win," Jade teased. "a scandal here today wouldn't serve either of us."
Tori groaned, her hands gripping the back of Jade's neck as she buried her face against her. "I could stay here, and leave Yerba to someone else, you know."
"You're a terrible liar," Jade said with a laugh, kissing her cheek. "Besides, we don't really know what this is."
"You don't?" Tori said sitting up to look in Jade's eyes. "My intention is to never let you go again. Whether we are public or I have to be your little secret."
Jade looked at Tori in disbelief. "You'd be my secret?"
"If you need me to be that, I'll do anything to keep what we started in Stockholm" Tori said. "I haven't stopped loving you since I let you go the last time."
"I love you too..." Jade whispered. "I want to try..."
Tori smiled brilliantly. "I will call you every day."
"And when you get done, I'll be there." Jade answered.
Tori lifted her head, gazing at Jade with a mischievous smile. "You'd better mean that."
Their moment was interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps in the hallway. Tori sighed, reluctantly pulling away and standing up. "I suppose that's my cue."
Jade rose to her feet, straightening her suit jacket and smoothed down her skirt. "You have a mission to get to."
As Tori adjusted her jacket, ready to leave, Jade's eyes softened. "Be safe, Tori. I need you back in one piece."
Tori glanced over her shoulder, her expression more serious now. "You too. It will be over before you know it."
She moved towards the door, but paused as her hand touched the doorknob. She turned back, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice. "Jade?"
"Yeah?"
"If something happens to me… just know…"
Jade stepped closer, her hand reaching for Tori's. "Don't. Nothing's going to happen."
Tori gave a small nod, her lips curving into a faint smile before she turned and left the room. The door closed softly behind her, leaving Jade standing alone in the Oval Office, the weight of their goodbye heavier than she'd anticipated.
She moved back to her desk, staring down at the polling numbers, but her mind wasn't on the campaign anymore. It was on Tori, heading into the unknown.
