Chapter Twenty
The Situation Room in the White House is one of the most secretive places in the world. It is the place where the man completely leaves the office. The place where the President is supposed to represent ideals as a leader and not as a human of conscience. The National Security Advisor and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, for the past half hour, had been trying to walk the President back from the emotional plateau of having men taken hostage in Bogotá. It didn’t help that word of their deaths had reached them so close on the heels of a god attacking his Deputy Chief of Staff, and that now Fitzwallace was urging him to declare a state of domestic terrorism in Washington.
It worked, except if they told the world that terrorists had struck the nation’s capital, the entire country would be thrust into a state of panic. Like the Oklahoma City Bombing and the Waco catastrophe, only on a different level, as this was Washington DC.
He was just counting his blessings that the run-in with Glory hadn’t rendered anyone dead.
“What I don’t understand,” the President said irately, “is how we can establish a secret military branch of the government, specifically trained in handling this sort of disaster, and you’ve spread them out so thin that there aren’t any actual representatives that can be here tonight.”
“Mr. President—”
“I want the head of the Initiative here at seven o’clock tomorrow morning.” He stood, and the Joint Chiefs stood with him. “None of you have convinced me that the Pentagon is capable of moving on a problem of this magnitude when everyone who has been specially trained is a continent away!” He turned to Leo. “If there isn’t someone to tell me something I haven’t heard already by tomorrow morning, I’m ordering the city evacuated, and I don’t give a damn.”
“Sir,” Fitz said rationally. “If you order Washington DC evacuated, there’s going to be widespread panic.”
“If this god attacks my staff again like she did tonight, we’re looking at widespread panic anyway. I’d rather have people panicking than people dead. Get me the head of the Initiative here tomorrow, or that’s what we’re going to do.”
Fitz turned to Leo after the President stormed out of the Sit Room, his expression grim. “You’ve got to talk him down,” he said. “If he orders an evacuation of Washington, it’s over.”
Leo nodded. “I know.”
“I know Josh was involved. I know he has friends involved as well, but if we don’t declare what happened as an act of domestic terrorism, there’s going to be prevalent panic, and who knows what might come out. The only thing worse than knowing what happened is not knowing what happened.” He paused. “You know this as well as I do.”
A beat passed between them. Leo nodded again. “I’ll see what I can do.”
*~*~*
“Charlie!”
The President’s aide hurried into the Oval Office at the familiar bellow.
“I want to see Dawn Summers in here now,” the President said, tossing him a glance over his glasses. “Buffy and Spike as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And get Rupert Giles on the phone.”
Charlie paused at that. “Rupert Giles, sir? I’m not familiar.”
The President stopped shortly. “London, England,” he said. “He’s a civilian, as best I know. I want him on the phone.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
*~*~*
“Go home.”
Sam glanced up to the familiar sight of Toby shadowing his doorway. “I can’t go home,” he said. “We have DEA agents missing in Bogotá, Jack Sloane is under siege for something he didn’t actually do seventeen years ago, and we’ve had an act of domestic terrorism in which two of our closest friends were nearly killed…again. You’re telling me the President doesn’t want us to work on remarks for tomorrow?”
“No, I’m telling you that there’s nothing else for you to do tonight.”
“I should stay and write up some remarks.”
“Of the two of us, you’re the one with a woman waiting for you at home,” Toby replied. “If you remember, nights like this were the reason Andi filed for divorce.”
“I thought it was because she wanted children and you didn’t.”
“It’s not that I didn’t want children, it’s that…” He scowled. “Sam, go home.”
“I should really—”
“Willow left two hours ago. You’re telling me you have nothing better to do than sit in your dark office? I’m staying. You’re going home.”
“Toby—”
“You remember you work for me, right?”
Sam released a long sigh and rose to his feet. “You’re sure you don’t need anything?” he said. “I don’t mind staying.”
“I know. Go home.”
The younger man smiled. “You know you’re a big softie.”
“Yeah. I’d feel comfortable calling me that, too.” Toby tossed him a wry glance before moving onto his own office. “If you’re not gone in five minutes,” he called loudly, “I’ll have security escort you out.”
Sam smiled to himself and threw his coat over his shoulders. “Yeah,” he murmured. “That’s what’s going to happen.”
It was for the best, most likely. And had his life been any less complicated, he would’ve been home the moment Willow came by the office and told him she was leaving. The past few weeks had been trying on them, especially with Joyce Summers in and out of doctors’ offices, her friends having brought all the hell of the hellmouth with them in the move, and the State of the Union at the top of his priority list.
The world was crashing in around them. He wanted nothing more than to collapse in the arms of the woman he loved and ignore all else.
Just for tonight.
*~*~*
“Hello?”
“Mr. Giles?”
There was a pause. “It’s just Giles, actually. I don’t care for that ‘Mister’ nonsense.”
“Yes. I’ve gathered as much from what Buffy has told me, but I didn’t want to presume anything, considering we’ve never met.”
“I’m sorry, who—”
“This is Jed Bartlet.”
“That’s funny. The President of the United States goes by the same name.”
“Well, if you think that’s funny, this is going to knock your socks off.” The President smiled to himself. The first cause he’d had to smile since he got word of what had happened tonight. “I was under the impression that you were a part of the Natchez troupe. One of the Latin experts that didn’t know how to translate a simple passage.”
“Well, that all depends on the context.”
A low, jokingly disapproving chord struck the President’s voice. “Well, the context around here is I’m right no matter what, so let’s just skip over that part.”
Giles chuckled wryly. “When Buffy told me she was staying in the White House, I thought she was trying to be funny.”
“Nope, that much is true.” A pause. “Listen, Giles, I’m calling on behalf of Buffy’s sister, Dawn.”
“Dawn?” A note of panic rose in the Watcher’s voice. “Oh dear. Is she…did—”
“No, she’s fine. In fact, if you turn on CNN International, you might get an idea of what actually happened here tonight.” The President rested a beat. “I’m calling because I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest if I send Dawn to stay with you for a while.”
“W-well, yes, of course…if you think that’s for the best.”
“Let’s just say Josh Lyman nearly got killed for the third time in a year, and twice now it’s been in relation to you and yours. Understand, I’m not casting blame, but something tells me that if this god of yours gets a hold of the person she’s tearing my city up to find, I’m going to be even less pleased than I am right now.”
“Yes, I believe you can safely assume as much.”
“All right. I’m going to have Mrs. Landingham phone you in the morning and set up Dawn’s arrival. I appreciate your cooperation.”
There was a wry chuckle at that. “Even with an ocean between us, I am in no position to argue with the President of the United States.”
“Well, I happen to agree, but that’s just me.” He nodded as Charlie entered the room to announce the arrival of the Summers girls and the vampire. “Thank you,” he said, hanging up the phone.
One of these days, he would have to remember to end a conversation formally.
“Come on in,” he said, navigating around his desk. “Take a seat.”
“Good evening, Mr. President,” Buffy said, hugging her arms around herself. “I didn’t even know you knew this time of night existed.”
He smiled warily. “Trust me, if my national security advisors had a way of keeping me out of the loop, they’d’ve thought of it already.” He turned his eyes to the youngest girl, whose eyes were red and swollen with the telltale sign of endless crying. He had just sent his youngest to Georgetown University the year before; he knew well how girls acted when they were upset.
He also knew that Josh had spilled the beans tonight. Had Josh similarly not almost gotten himself killed, he would have been in for a scolding.
“There hasn’t been anythin’ else, has there?” Spike asked.
“No. I have Initiative operatives flying in to meet me in the morning to discuss the best course of action in dealing with this thing that has happened.” He waved a hand. “I don’t know if I trust them or not, but right now, they carry more weight than my cabinet.”
The vampire frowned. “Initiative blokes don’ take too kindly to me,” he said. “Or Buffy, for that matter. Don’ s’pose Curly told you ‘bout our last li’l run-in?”
“When you say ‘Curly,’ I assume you’re talking about Josh. And no, he did not.”
“The Slayer’s almost-ex thought she was a demon ‘cause of what went down in Natchez. Tried to wrangle a confession outta her a few times, an’ she ended up near bloody well blastin’ him through a wall.” A humorless chuckle rumbled through his lips. “Not sure how much help they’re gonna be, is all.”
“Well, I can’t sit here and do nothing while an irate god tears up the capital.”
Dawn’s face was a façade of stone. “Because of me.”
“Sorry?”
“Glory is tearing up the city because of me.”
Buffy pursed her lips and placed a hand over her sister’s. “Dawn, we went over this already.”
“No, you yelled at me and told me to get over it.”
“And I stand by that.”
The President raised a hand. “I don’t want to get caught up in the middle of a family feud. Regardless, there is another reason I asked you here tonight. Dawn, I’m flying you out of the country tomorrow.”
Her eyes went wide. “Out of the country?”
“Yes. I just got off the phone with Rupert Giles in England, and he’s agreed that getting as much distance between you and Glory is the best thing we can do right now.” He paused. “You’ll be staying with him until this all blows over.”
The Slayer’s face melted into relief. “Oh, thank God.”
“But I…I don’t want to stay with Giles.” The younger girl turned to her sister. “What if something happens with Mom? What if…you can’t seriously send me across the world without asking me first. It’s not fair.”
“Mom will be happy if she knows you’re safe.”
Dawn’s eyes darkened. “Why does it matter? It’s not like I’m her real daughter or anything.”
Spike expelled a deep sigh and leaned forward authoritatively. “Bit,” he all but growled, “you’re gonna do this, an’ you’re not gonna give us any trouble. Big Sis needs a hand right now. Plus you were jus’ told to do it by the President of the United States.”
“But—”
“No bloody buts. We’re doin’ this for your own good.”
“Like not telling me about the extra Keyness that is me was for my own good?”
“I’m beginning to think that was for the general good,” the President muttered. “Listen, Dawn, I understand you’re not thrilled with this turn of events, and you have my sympathy. But please bear in mind that a god tried to kill my Deputy Chief of Staff tonight. Now that’s twice and two different gods in one year. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be the one that doesn’t get away. Your sister cares about you, and she wants you safe.”
“No,” Dawn retorted coldly. “She just doesn’t want the world to end.”
The President shifted uncomfortably. “Well, I’m sure she just sees that as a perk.”
“You have to be the most self-centered girl on the face of the planet.” Buffy heaved a sigh and shook her head. “You’re going to England. If you want to be selfish, fine. If you want to think it’s just because I want to save the world, even better. That’s your problem. I don’t have time to convince you that I love you. But you’re going to see Giles.” She turned to the President. “I’ll have Willow bring over her stuff.”
He shook his head. “No need. Charlie will take care of it.”
The vampire quirked a grin. “Does Charlie ever sleep?”
“If he does, he does it when I’m not looking.” He turned his eyes to the door. “Charlie!”
The kid popped his head in. “Yes, Mr. President?”
“Why don’t you take Dawn, here, to get her things?” He gave the young girl a sharp glance before she could object; a sort of presidential decree without words. She looked at him for a minute, then nodded weakly and rose to her feet.
And left the room without a word.
Buffy likely didn’t realize that she was squeezing Spike’s hand to the brink of pain, but the vampire didn’t seem to mind. “Thank you,” she murmured, heaving a sigh. “Dawn…she doesn’t like listening to me…or Mom, for whatever reason.”
“It’s called being a teenager,” the President replied. “I’m sure you put your mother through the same. Now, I am open to suggestions as to how I should approach this meeting with the Initiative in the morning. You two are the highest authority I have on this crazy world Leo introduced me to last year…if you have any ideas on how I should handle this god, I’d certainly like to hear them.”
“’S not so much the Initiative, mate,” Spike drawled, leaning back. “’S their bias against anythin’ non-human. You know me, right. I’m a vamp, yeh, but I’m okay. An’ the Slayer’s molded to fight the otherworldlies. The fact that she’s a god is no more her fault than it is yours.”
“So you’re just saying that you don’t trust the members of the Initiative, not so much the organization itself.”
Buffy smiled weakly. “In a nutshell.”
The President heaved a sigh and rose to his feet, motioning for them to keep their seats. “I’m bringing them here to keep the city safe and under control,” he said slowly, walking to the window. “And I need them to cooperate with you two under all circumstances.”
“A presidential order won’ do it?”
“I’d prefer a bit of trust on either side.”
Spike snickered. “Bloody lost cause, that.”
The President nodded, a humorless chuckle tumbling through his lips. “Too bad you two don’t have friends in the military as well as the White House,” he said, turning. “Life just isn’t prone to hand me that many lemons at once.”
There was a long, silent beat. Buffy licked her lips. “Actually, Mr. President,” she began slowly. “There might be somebody…”
TBC