This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic, so please bear with me if it's not exactly perfect. I also tried my best with facts based upon granting asylum in the United States, but it's definitely not my area of knowledge, so I gave it my best! Enjoy! (Feedback is always welcome)
—
"Ma'am?" Nadine entered Elizabeth McCord's office, her stride elevated. "Are you ready to leave for the airport?"
Not that Elizabeth was going anywhere, but rather going to meet and welcome Yasmin Nazari, a sixteen-year-old teenager, who had just been granted asylum in the United States from her abusive family in Akhstan. It was rumored that Yasmin didn't want to follow the tradition of her people by being forced into marriage at a young age and only expected to carry and raise children. That was not the life she wanted. The rest of the world was changing and she wanted desperately to change with it. A video had circled around news broadcasts and social media of Yasmin attending rallies, demanding basic female rights. Her parents were outraged by her behavior and began physically punishing her—a daily regime. This story was already spreading like wildfire across many news stations, national and international. She was to be the first Akhstanian civilian to step on to U.S. soil and it was a welcoming victory for everyone working at the White House and the State Department.
Elizabeth sat back in her chair and took her reading glasses off with a heavy, but relieved sigh.
"I never thought this day would come. To think that this poor girl had to wait months to finally get permission to flee her family and her country–" The Secretary of State closed her eyes, "I can't imagine the fear and insufferable pain she must have endured."
Nadine spoke, "And now she will be safe, thanks to you."
Elizabeth's eyes opened and she let out a wry chuckle. "Well, I definitely had to jump through some fiery hoops with the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS, but I believe a lot of people had a share in this momentous victory."
"You're right, Ma'am. You're most definitely right. We should all be celebrating today." Nadine replied with a beaming smile.
"Ah, speaking of celebrating..." She put her glasses back on. "I may have overheard that the entire 7th floor is throwing some sort of party to celebrate our accomplishment. I don't think I was supposed to know, but they always seem to forget I was a spy, let alone for the CIA. I know everything." She tapped her index finger to the side of her head, a mischievous grin painted across her face.
The Secretary's Chief of Staff couldn't help but laugh at her boss's comedic behavior, which was generally a good sign. It usually meant she had gotten her way and accomplished something on a grand scale or on other occasions, that she was pissed and ready to sever someone's head off.
Elizabeth got up from her chair and reached for her blazer, which was draped behind her.
"Is my motorcade ready?" She shrugged her blazer over her shoulders and left it unbuttoned.
"Yes, Madam Secretary."
"Thank you, Nadine. Will I see you tonight?"
"I wouldn't miss it, Ma'am."
Elizabeth smiled and headed toward the door of her office.
"Oh, and Ma'am. There is a surprise waiting for you in the car." Nadine tantalized.
Elizabeth gave her an exaggerated intrigued expression before leaving the room.
"Okay guys, there better not be a puppy or a pregnant daughter in there." She was pestering her detail for any clue of what this so called surprise might be, but they weren't budging. "Because if it is, I swear–."
Before Elizabeth could finish her demand, Henry stepped out of the vehicle, completely dressed up like he normally would when attending a diplomatic event alongside her.
"Oh my gosh, babe! What are you doing here? I thought you had to leave for some undercover mission this morning?"
"Is it wrong that I can't surprise my wife and accompany her while she is recognized for something of global attainment? I'll just stand off to the side and I won't be in anyone's way."
Henry put his muscular arms around her waist and pulled her in closely before embracing his wife with a sensual kiss.
"Mmm. I'm not going to argue with that." She said, her face only a mere inch away from his.
"We better get going, baby. I don't want to be the one that made you late." Henry brushed a stray piece of hair away from her face.
"We'll continue this later, McCord." Elizabeth hit his chest playfully before getting into the car and Henry followed.
—
A wave of relief washed over Elizabeth as she made it through to the terminal with no intrusions or barricades of people asking questions. However, there was one fan, a six-year-old girl who was traveling with her mother who happened to cross paths with her, — more like ran. Elizabeth noticed the young child approaching her and apparently Matt was also aware. He went to put his body in front of Elizabeth, but she gestured him at him kindly that it was okay.
She crouched down to meet her at eye level.
"And who might you be, young lady?"
The mother followed close behind. "I'm so sorry, Madam Secretary."
It was obvious the child's mother was embarrassed and looked like she wanted to hide in a turtle shell and never come out.
"Oh, it's alright. I adore children!" The Secretary reassured her.
The child held out a children's book about powerful people in Washington D.C. and opened to a page with Elizabeth McCord's photo, pointing to it.
"You're my hero. I want to be like you one day." The girl said shyly.
A smile radiated from Elizabeth's mouth.
"If you follow your dreams and never let anyone tell you what is right and wrong, you can be anything you want to be. Never be afraid to stand up to what you believe in, no matter the cost."
She also looked at the mother, as if she were talking to her as well. Elizabeth reached into her inside her blazer pocket and pulled out a pen and autographed the photo in the child's book before standing back up.
"Thank you so much, Madam Secretary. You have no idea how much this means to her." The mother was beaming.
"The pleasure is all mine."
"Thank you, Madam Secretary." The child echoed her mom.
"You're very welcome."
With that, mother and daughter disappeared amongst the small crowd of travelers.
"The plane is getting ready to unboard, Ma'am." Matt whispered whispered in her ear.
She nodded and took a deep breath. This was really happening. All that hard work and negotiating was finally going to be paid off and a young adult will finally have her freedom. Yasmin would no longer have to fear every minute of every day, fearing for the next blow on her body by her own family.
Elizabeth looked over at Henry, who was standing about twenty feet away from her, and he was looking at her with so much love and adoration. She was also caught in his gaze, so much so that she didn't see the man that approached her at a determined and rapid pace shouting, "Stop the boats!"
It all happened within milliseconds. Elizabeth saw a bright flash that burned her face and knocked her off her feet, throwing her violently backwards towards the floor of the terminal.