God of War: Part 13


Lynn Jepsen


Arms grab me and drag me towards the limo, and in the crush, I lose sight
of Lily. She was standing right beside me, and now, I haven't a clue
where she went. The limo lurches forward before I have a chance to
protest. That is my... Those are... We can't just leave them there! Jeff
drops a hand on my shoulder, mainly to keep me still, and seems to be
paying extra attention to the voices in his ear. For a moment, all he was
doing was telling people I was in the limo and headed back to the White
House. Now, now I think there's something else on his mind.

What's going on? Is everyone alright? Talk to me, please. Jeff's head
swivels around, and he looks at me, and in that look, I find myself
wanting to lock myself in a room with Lisa and Elle and never leave. What
happened? "Mr. President, we need to take you back to the residence. If
you just calm down...." Is everyone okay? "No, sir, but we'll know more
when we get back." No? People are hurt? Who? How badly? "I don't know
yet, sir." This is bad. Where's Lisa? Has someone told her? "Her agents
have been alerted. Beyond that, I wouldn't know." Bull. Get on that
little radio and tell me about my staff. Then tell me where my wife is
right now.

His eyes are hidden behind dark glasses, and I get the feeling he's
avoiding my gaze from behind them. However, he does renew whispering into
his radio. Oh God. I feel so tired now. Leaning back against the seat, I
close my eyes, only to watch Rosslyn blend with New York which blends in
with what just happened. I'm starting to understand what Bartlet was
talking about after Rosslyn. I feel like I wasn't there for the main
event, when I'd much rather be back with my people.

"Sir, Ms. Taylor and Ms. Cregg are on their way back to the White House."
He pauses then to listen into his radio. Carol and CJ will deal with the
press and the frantic calls from VIPs who think they should be our first
call. "Mr. Ziegler, Mr. Perez, and Ms. Reed were all put into the second
limo. They're following a few minutes behind us." Okay, Toby, Ramon, and
Diana are accounted for. That just leaves.... Lily. How's Lily? Jeff is
tuned in to his ear piece, and when he looks at me again, he shakes his
head. "She's on the way to GW. It doesn't look good." What are you
waiting for? We're going to the hospital! "We need to take you back to
the residence, Mr. President."

Take me to GW.

They all exchange a look then.

The car turns.

I feel guilty. Mainly because this is my fault, but also because I'm glad
Lisa and Josh weren't there. One of them would have been walking with me
instead of Lily, and they've both had more than they're share of.....
Yeah. But that doesn't make it any easier to know Lily's in surgery.

Lisa runs up to me the moment she catches sight of me through the window
of the waiting room. I fold her into my arms and breeze in the smell of
her shampoo - strawberry - and the faint whispers of perfume - raspberry.
She's shaking, and I can't get over how strange that is. Lisa doesn't
scare. She doesn't shake like a leaf. She's the solid one. She balances
me. She controls Josh. She's shaking. "Sam." What? Tilting her chin up, I
force her to meet my eyes. "Josh is missing." What! "State... they think
it's The Wrath of God." We've got the complete attention of the room
then.

Where's Elle? Joe? "They're with Rachel back at the office. She and
Margaret are holding the fort." Diana is on her feet and just behind my
left shoulder. Toby is growling over my right. "We didn't know about Josh
until...." Her voice trails off as a doctor enters the room, and I wonder
if today can get worse.

My Chief of Staff is missing.
My Deputy Chief of Staff is in surgery.
My Deputy Communications Director is in the middle of a nervous
breakdown.

All this could possibly be ignored if it weren't for my current array of
problems.

My best friend is being held hostage.
A plane load of coffins is bound for the US.
The militaries of six nations have been mobilized.

Throw in the fact that I just alienated every politician in the city in
the space of 24 hours, and life doesn't look so good. As a matter of
fact, it looks downright dismal. I'm thinking today would be the day to
resign and let Alice step up. I'm also thinking that today is going to be
the day the makes the history books - either way.

God of War: Part 14

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