 
#### Protection Series:

#### #1 ~ A Step Beyond Protection

##### (each Novel in this series does stand-alone)

# By Andie Renee

##### Copyright 2013 Andie Renee

##### Smashwords Edition

## This book is dedicated to my parents, Robert and Donna Ulrich, for all of their support and prayers.

## I would also like to thank Joyce Austin and Annie Bishop who are always there when I need you.

###### In regards to my first set of books that I am releasing under my Protection Series:

###### I have more than surpassed the required waiting years, in regards to writing, which I had agreed upon at the time of my resignation from the United States Secret Service. I have not divulged any top secret, classified, or sensitive information regarding the government, nor any government agency, nor have my books revealed any specific names. They are not meant to disrespect any particular person, agency, or representatives. They are fictional characters involved in fictional and imaginary, life-changing events. I am hoping that you enjoy the unique family bond that this agency actually has amongst its agents. This set of books may be really different from what you normally read, but I am hoping that you can enjoy the uniqueness and interesting situations that they all find themselves in and how Jesus heals their ways and works in each of their lives.

## Smashwords Edition, License Notes:

###### This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

eBook Cover Designer~Andie Renee: Photos ~ Stone wall Frame: CanStockPhotoInc./ Balefire9 (csp4934804); Water bridge: CanStockPhotoInc./ Lamarinx; (csp7435236); Roses: CanStockPhotoInc./ Allex (csp9101267)

Star Image Designer~Andie Renee: Panther: CanStockPhotoInc./ dagadu (csp7909419); White House: CanStockPhotoInc./ Alperium (csp1845848)

# Chapter 1

O _uch._ Quickly, Raven glared at the offending rock that had seemed to appear purposefully in front of her on the sidewalk. She really did not need another ankle injury. As she righted herself, she also very quickly brushed away yet another very small, _but so deep_ , moist reminder of her recent losses. _Not now, not now, please not now!_ Her mind fought for calm, while she methodically continued to walk towards the Secret Service Headquarters building. Routine. That was what she really needed _._

The quicker she got back to work, the quicker her life would be back on track. She stopped walking and looked at the building before her as if she had never seen it before. Why did the low-rise, brown brick building suddenly seem so much bigger, and a little intimidating to her? A building that used to delight her every time she saw it. Brushing away the beading sweat from her brow, Raven took another deep breath. Okay. She could do this, she really could. Straightening her shoulders, and refusing to let any more questions surface, she lifted her shiny, deep blue eyes to the mirrored glass doors before her as she drew closer to the Southside entrance. Her sleek laptop case suddenly seemed to weigh down her arm uncomfortably, while her gun seemed to intentionally dig into her waist making its presence more known to her. _Lord, if you still hear my prayers, please give me strength to do this._

Where had the time gone? How could just over ten months seem so short? Was she ready to acknowledge friends, or co-workers as if nothing was wrong? Was she ready to smile without seemingly a care in the world, as she used to before both sides of her world had simultaneously come crashing down around her? How was she going to deal with the monotonous issues that somehow, and in some way now seemed so meaningless to her? Raven briefly closed her eyes, shutting out her clean black, tailor sharp "agent" reflection staring back at her, mocking her. Looking the part and feeling the part was a completely different thing altogether.

Raven grabbed the door handle with purpose, as she cynically chuckled, "Uh, who am I kidding? I'm full of questions."

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

Raven looked to the woman standing in front of her. Tall, just her height, dark blonde hair pulled neatly up in a high ballet-style bun, dark suit, her right arm unconsciously protecting a hidden firearm. Yep, she definitely was an agent. Raven forced a smile, "Hi. No, I'm fine."

"Oh, okay. Well, may I help you then?" The woman tilted her head, and lifted her eyebrow.

Before the woman could even ask to see it, Raven smoothly flipped open her credentials and showed her. "No, I'm fine. And I know right where I am going, but thank you anyway."

With direct strides Raven continued towards the elevators, trying not to feel too bad about having been so abrupt with her _...and failing miserably at it_. The outgoing, so pleasant, and always ready to give a laughing smile Raven, was gone. She couldn't even remember the last time she had laughed. Oh, what she wouldn't give to just be back home a thousand miles away, with nothing to think about, lying in her pajamas, and hiding from the world. Raven took a deep breath and rested her head against the wall in the surprisingly empty elevator. She really didn't need another reminder of how much she really had changed in these last few months.

The elevator stopped, and the slight mustiness in the air filtered through her nostrils, along with the all too familiar smell of paperwork as she walked. She stopped for a moment looking down the hallway, which suddenly seemed so much shorter than it had in the past. The buzzing of machines in use, the low voices speaking over the phones, and the glass door with the name of her boss's office neatly lettered across it, suddenly gave way to dread. Her heart dropped as quickly as the cold sweat rushed over her, how could she have forgotten all about Ms. Travers? The one woman whom always instinctively seemed to know a little bit more than what was on the surface?

The glass door swung open for her, "Welcome back, Raven. Mr. Mayer is waiting for you. It's so nice to see you, I've missed you." Ms. Travers stood and greeted Raven.

"Hi, Ms. Travers. How are you doing?" The automatic greeting flowed from her tongue without much thought.

"I'm fine. But...are you really okay? I'm so sorry for all that you have been through this past year." Her arms felt unusually warm against Raven's suit jacket when she pulled her tightly into her surprisingly strong embrace. "I have been praying for you. You are _always_ in my prayers, and you know, tragedies in this world have an amazing way of bringing us closer into the arms of Jesus, as we begin to truly know Him on a more personal level. Because only He can give us that strength and comfort that we truly need. So, my dear Raven, may you be able to hear from Him in a clearer, and louder way." Softly and quietly spoken, but undeniably laced with a boldness that Raven envied, Ms. Travers's warm breath seemed to linger against her ear, while her words slammed against the thick wall that Raven had spent months trying to build around her heart.

Returning the hug with a quick one of her own, Raven smiled and tried to shake off the slight damage that this woman had done with her increasingly bold words. Wanting nothing more than to make the atmosphere in the room feel a little lighter to her, Raven rushed on, "Oh, Ms. Travers, you always do worry too much. I'm fine. So, Mr. Mayer is ready for me? Well, then I had better hurry so I don't keep him waiting. See you later." Raven kissed her on the cheek.

Quickly walking towards Mr. Mayer's slightly opened door, Raven's heart actually broke a little more because for the first time ever, Ms. Travers's ever welcoming, warm, loving, peaceful smile, mixed with a mothering hug, did nothing to help her. She closed Mr. Mayer's door, and her first day back looked even bleaker.

"If you say it one more time, I think I will scream!" Shoving Rick out of her way, Raven forged on towards their vehicle.

"Okay...okay," laughing, Rick raised up his hands in mock surrender as he followed her to the old white beat up training car. "I give." His red face, bright eyes, and barely controlled laughter did nothing to ease her mind.

"You know I could really believe you, if you would just stop laughing." Raven leaned into the dented car roof, hiding her face. The seriousness of her situation overtook what little humor, if any, she could see in this situation. Through her muffled words, Raven tried to let her best buddy understand how serious it really was, "Rick. I can't do it. I'm not the same person. I can't. I _really can't!_ "

"Oh, girl. Yes, you can, and you will do a perfect job as always." He walked around the car towards her. His voice spoke of his strong confidence in her ability, but then again just as quickly his laughter spilled over, "But come on dear, you have got to see how amusing it really is. You know, I really do wish I could have been in Mr. Mayer's office when he informed you of your, uh, um, _new detail_."

Keeping her head buried against the car, she lashed out behind her, back-handing him in the gut. _Direct hit!_ Pushing away from the car, Raven was even angrier. Who was she trying to kid? Why had she even felt led to try and talk to him about it? How could he understand? He didn't know the whole story, he didn't know what she was going through. This was a huge responsibility that she knew she wouldn't be able to handle. She had begged Mr. Mayer to let her back out in the field, but he had refused saying they needed her for protection. At least if she was in the field, then she would have been able to have a little more time in trying to fix her sudden fear, and not have someone, or more importantly two little children's lives at stake.

Balling her fists at her side, Raven raised her face towards the clear, twilight sky. _Why? Why do I have to deal with even more problems?_ Silence.

She closed her eyes and did all she could do \- scream. And boy, did she scream. Knowing that the training complex was deserted at this time, also encouraged her to finally let out all of her pent up frustrations. Tears streamed down her face as her voice raised to an even higher, and stronger pitch. So lost in her own little world of pain, she didn't even notice when Rick concernedly rushed to her side, nor when he uncomfortably tried consoling her. She only wanted all of the 'bad stuff' inside of her gone. She didn't care that Rick was suddenly really adamant about her being quiet, she viciously shoved away his hand that was attempting to cover her mouth. But the jerkiness of her reaction threw her off balance, and she landed on the hard, warm, rocky asphalt with gracelessness. Raven's face grimaced at the sudden twinge in her left ankle that forced her screams to end.

Rolling onto her back, Raven covered her face completely in her hands. She was so tired of crying, she only wanted to lash out at something, or someone. Maybe then she would feel better. Maybe then she would be able to finally feel something other than hurt, pain, tiredness, rejection, loneliness, degradation, and... _so very lost._ The second that one small, four-letter word entered her mind, all of her energy surged out of her. _Lost._ She was lost. For months she had tried to come to terms with what happened, and move on. But she didn't know how to move forward, she didn't know where she was anymore. She was stuck.

Taking a deep breath, Raven angrily swiped at her useless, weak tears. Why did they have to flow along with her anger, too? Was she never going to be free of tears again? Straightening her legs, she came up against something hard. Keeping her eyes closed, she instinctively swung her right leg out and connected with Rick's shin. "Don't ever do that to me again, Rick! If I want to scream, I'll scream! Don't you dare try to forcefully stop me again! Do you hear me?" Silence. "Uh?" Still silent, except for the tightly suppressed laughter, and not in just one direction, but it seemed that Rick had made himself be heard from all around her. And that infuriated her even more.

"That's it!" Angrily swiping at her tears, Raven looked above her and gasped. Standing over her, with hands on his hips and the most endearingly soft expression blanketing his face was a stranger. A complete stranger with his face a little too close for comfort! Rushing to her feet, uncaring that she jarred him a bit, Raven stood and purposefully stretched every inch of her five-foot ten-inch frame. But, as in everything else lately, she came up short. A new frustration emerged, and not just because he still stood a good bit taller than her. Hands on her hips, mocking him, Raven glared up into his softening, chocolate brown eyes, "I don't know who you are, but you need to back off! I don't know how you know Rick, but you have some nerve to surprise me like that. And seeing as you're a fellow agent, I will let it slide. Now," plowing ardently past him Raven saw all of the other five new visitors that were comically biting their tongues, and fighting desperately not to lose their composures. _Great, just great!_ The Counter Assault Team's finest had just witnessed her first meltdown.

She definitely would never live this one down. At least their big leader wasn't among them, as the CAT team's Special Agent in Charge, she most definitely did not need him witnessing it. What fodder he would have at the next 'boss's meeting.' It's bad enough he'll hear about it because these boys did nothing the other ones didn't know about. They lived and worked as one unit. Impressive in the past, but infuriating now.

She turned back, "So, you must be a new member of their CAT gang." Raven pointed to their athletically clad bodies in their running shorts and shoes, and ruthlessly added, "There is really nothing more to see here. And you can now go on about your running business of practicing to chase the bad men away. Run away now, run away. Far, far away." Taking notice for the first time that the man closest to her was unexpectedly packing heat, she added, "Or whatever you were all working on. Just run and shoot then."

Raven tried to walk away with as much dignity as she could muster. But it was pretty hard to do considering the huge temper tantrum she had just thrown right smack dab in the middle one of the training lots all in front of six men whom she had no idea were even watching.

"Are you sure you don't need a hug? I think you could use one." His voice was so serious and caring.

Her chest tightened as his warm, masculine voice slammed against her retreating back. Stopping just short of the car door, Raven took a deep breath as the tiredness she had battled all day settled down hard on her body. Slowly looking back towards him sorrowfully, "At this point, I wouldn't care if you were the President of the United States, himself, standing here, and my career was on the line if I so much as made a comment to you, or moved away from you. I still would not stand here letting you mock me. I have been through way too much lately. Regrettably, you and your comrades here had to witness my first ever meltdown and I do apologize for that, but I will of course forget you even offered." Raven slumped into the car, and thankfully the clanging sound of the rusty, dented car door drowned out whatever comeback he had for her.

When Rick finally returned to the car, it was even darker outside. She could just barely make out the group of men jogging away. Only one man kept looking back towards their car. _Him._ Her heart suddenly aching, and for reasons she couldn't explain, Raven turned to her best friend the moment he started to drive away, "I guess I lost you, too, now." Sadness clogged her throat.

Rick's patience seeking, deep breath unnerved her even more. "Hon, I'm sorry. I had no idea. I know you were really close to your father, but I had no idea what you have been going through. I really didn't." Shockingly, his voice seemed to crack a little. "Had I known, I would have been there for you. You have always just seemed so strong in the Lord, I didn't see you needing any help. I'm sorry, I let you down."

Another tear fell down her cheek. Loudly blowing out her held breath, Raven looked out her window seeing nothing. Her left hand carefully reached over to him, and as much as she could she tried telling him that it was okay. Raven wanted to tell him more, but her throat painfully closed on her words.

# Chapter 2

"Raven? Can you come into my office for a second when you're done, please?"

_Please?_ She couldn't remember Rick ever saying please before. _Oh, man._ A slow, thumping headache started around her temples. A painful reminder of why she didn't like emotional things and why she always tried to stay clear of any emotional confrontations. She really hoped their relationship did not change because of his new knowledge that she was having a hard time dealing with the death of her father. What would happen when he discovered her other problems?

Raven positioned her hands on the edges of the sink and looked at her reflection. Had she really changed that much? Never one to have looked at herself in the mirror other than what was needed to do her hair and makeup, she couldn't physically see any difference. Although, her eyes did look really tired. A sure indicator of her huge lack of sleep lately.

"Raven?"

"Yeah." Clearing her throat, Raven continued, "Yes, I'll be right there."

"Okay."

So softly spoken, for a second Raven wasn't sure that it was even Rick's voice. _Wow_ , he was really shook up. Turning, she grabbed up her bag and headed out of the girls' locker room. She could not believe it. In the span of a few minutes, _no seconds_ , a whole relationship could change that quickly. And she really didn't like it, she wanted her old Rick back.

Straightening her shoulders, she walked down the hall to his office determined not to lose him, too. Nor have their relationship continue down an unknown path. She would not let him get all emotional on her, enough was enough. She really couldn't deal with any more changes to her life. And she knew just how to shake him out of it.

Slamming her bag against his door and letting it unceremoniously slide to the floor, Raven took up one of the tactical aggressive stances that Rick, as one of their elite training instructors, would know like the back of his hand. Bracing her body and mind to expect what was to come from him, she took a deep, steadying breath and exploded into his office.

_Whoosh!_ Her cheek came down hard against his metal desk while she tried desperately to keep breathing. Looking upward she could just make out a black long-sleeved clad muscular arm holding her down... _not Rick!_ A strong, commanding voice broke through her closed ear, but she couldn't make out the words. And just as suddenly as she had been wrapped into the debilitating hold, Raven was set free. The room spun and Raven was sure she was going down, but strong arms kept her upright.

"Are you alright, sweetheart? Raven? Are you alright?"

Her eyes shot open as her mind scrambled around his words. Sweetheart? _Sweetheart!!?_ More confused than ever, she pushed herself out of the arms wrapped around her and came face to face with _him_.

" _You!_ " Pointing her finger right into his strong, handsome face that she was really beginning to not like, Raven yelled at him. "How dare you? Sweetheart? _Sweetheart!!?_ Really?" She snorted, "I don't think so. And...," quickly scanning the room Raven saw his comrades of earlier were all there, but this time dressed in their infamous all black BDU work clothes. One of them was nursing his eye, but she didn't linger on that. Instead, she looked to the other side of the room and connected right with Rick's sheepish face.

Realization finally set in, and her anger instantly drained from her. "Rick. Did you set this up? Uh? That's it, isn't it? Oh, come on, how could I have been so stupid? I have really been out of it lately, haven't I?" Grasping her face with a little too much force, Raven couldn't believe she had walked, no _ran_ , right smack dab into a complete agent-setup. "I have been gone for about ten months, which is awhile I guess, but compared to being an agent it isn't. I should have known, I really should have. With being gone for a while, I should have seen this coming. Ha ha. You got me Rick, gentlemen, you got me. You can turn off the cameras, the phones, and text everyone else letting them know you got me. Yep, I certainly fell for it this time."

Her mind was relieved, but her heart suddenly seemed to weigh a ton, the very first person she had let her guard down to since her dad, and she had to now deal with this episode. "Rick..." clearing her throat, "you know, I really did think you were serious in the car on the way back here. You knew I would come in here attacking you because you know I would hate for our relationship to get all emotional and goofy. You really should be an actor."

"Raven. That's not true. I..."

"No, Rick. It's alright. Save it. I know it is, _was_ , a lot of fun in the past with all of the jokes and teasing. It comes with the service. I loved it. I really, really did. We're all like a family, a dysfunctional one, but still a family. But, I guess..." She shook her head and walked towards the door, wanting so desperately to escape. It was just too small of a room for everyone in here, especially with _him_ in here.

She stopped and turned looking directly at Rick, "I'm sorry to be such a downer. I have just really changed a lot in these past few months. I just have a lot more to deal with now than I have ever had to deal with before. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade the camaraderie for anything, but I'm sorry, I'm just not at the joking stage right now. Maybe in a few months." She shrugged, "Maybe never. But, thank you gentlemen for the laughs. I really must go, now. It's been interesting, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I truly hope I do not have to run into any of you anytime soon. However, I guess that's wishful thinking since I'm apparently doing the Eaglets Detail, or at least until I can get out of it. And since you all will be flying around like Spiderman at the White House, I may have to see you. So, I will leave because I really do need to try and get my sleep, I hear the two little eaglets will really keep me on my toes." Forcing a laugh, Raven couldn't help but add, "But at least I'm not assigned to the main Eagle, himself. PPD is what most agents strive for, but for me...no thank you. At least not during these next four years. Dealing with threats, and PI cases is one thing, but having to deal with groupies. Well, that's quite another. It's like working security at a rock concert."

"I take it you didn't vote for him?"

Simply asked, but why from him? She was going to have to look at him again. Might as well get it over with, quickly turning, Raven smiled. Well, she hoped it was coming out like a smile. "Actually, I did. I mean the other opponent's views were awful. They were all pretty much against most of God's principles. I really didn't have a choice. And anyway, the future discomfort and issues we may be up against when protecting the future protectee has nothing to do with how we should vote. We should solely vote based on the issues at hand, the possible future protectee's beliefs, and ideas, not on his looks. Nor on any other problems that may prove to be a little challenging, or difficult for us as his security team, if he is elected."

"True. Glad to hear that. But I have to ask, do _you_ think he is handsome?" His sly smile was truly the last thing she could handle today.

"What? Are you serious? _You know, this is crazy._ You must be a newbie. _Hello_. Again, for your information, the gag is over. O-V-E-R, over. I figured it out, and I'm not about to get roped into another one. I don't know how you CAT guys now handle your jokes, but we regular agents don't keep going on, and on, and on, and on when we get someone. We move on. _It's over._ " Raven determinedly headed back towards the office door, and immediately one of the other CAT guys stepped right in front of her, blocking her way. There was a seriousness about him that immediately set her on edge. He purposefully held up a framed picture of their Commander in Chief directly in front of her.

Raven blinked, stared, and blinked again. Those chocolaty brown eyes. Her stomach fell, a light headedness powerfully rushed over her, and cold sweat beaded her forehead driving her to grab her mouth and run towards the bathroom. A panic like she had never experienced before infiltrated her whole being. _He_ was...

Minutes later Raven groaned, her forehead refused to leave the cold pink bathroom tiled floor. She didn't want to get up, but she did want to leave. And she had no choice now but to write her resignation letter. Her eyes traveled to the five pairs of black combat boots, and two pairs of running shoes impatiently standing in the small bathroom with her. Why couldn't they just leave? And oh, why hadn't she been able to recognize him? She remembered having a brief moment where he looked a tad familiar, but she was definitely not looking for, nor expecting _him_ to be running around here. And he had been in workout attire, _not White House attire!_ He even fit the CAT guy look, with his sweaty hair standing up on ends, and his muscular build fitting into that CAT t-shirt perfectly. Raven groaned, and okay so she had forgotten that he was the youngest president to have taken office, beating Theodore Roosevelt by a year or so. But in her defense, those pictures did not do him any justice. His hair was also now a little longer, and that was a lot different than his previous military haircut that the picture showed. She could barely remember what her father looked like, let alone a man that she had never thought twice about.

_Chin up my girl, and face them head-on. You've got the Lord within you. You are truly blessed! Always remember that greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world._ Her eyes closed. _Dad..._ her breath caught when for the first time in a long time she could clearly see his sparkling blue eyes, chiseled features, and smiling mouth as he reminded her time and time again of those very same words. How she hated confrontations, especially the problematic ones. And she was sure nothing could have prepared her for the monumental one she had just created; not even her father. Forcing herself to her feet, Raven left the stall while refusing to look at any of them, and purposefully walked towards the sink. How she wished the water could physically wash away her troubles as well as it washed her face and mouth. Her hands shook, but thankfully she was able to finish with seven pairs of eyes boring into her back.

Keeping her eyes down casted, she physically bumped into a few of them in order to make her escape, making sure she only walked through and by the men in black. Tight lipped, she continued to walk straight on towards her assault bag at the end of the hallway, still lying on the floor where she had dropped it. No wonder she had found her face smacked down against Rick's desk, they had quickly responded in protection mode for _him_. Her next few moments were filled with many 'lasts.' Among which was her last time walking the hallways, and her last time walking on the well beaten path between the buildings heading towards and across the quiet, dimly lit parking lot. She briefly hesitated when her dark blue government car seemed to mock her as she neared it.

Frustration and exhaustion was a bad combination, especially when the infuriating group of men continued to follow her. Didn't they have something more important to be doing? _Like run a country?_ Her throat tightened on her last unthinking thought, making it painful to swallow. Yanking open her door with a little too much force, Raven quickly threw her bag into the passenger seat when she lost her balance.

"You are not driving yourself home. You are in no condition to be driving, you are way too tired. Now, either get in and scoot over, or get in the back." His commanding words held no option for negotiating.

Raven kept her eyes focused on her car door as she slightly turned her body, trying to show him respect without looking him in the face. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm really, truly sorry. I really am. I'm sorry about everything. Everything I said, and did. I never meant any disrespect to your children, either, I am not trying to get out of their detail because of them. It just would be better that they not have an agent like me on their team right now. I have just been through so much this past year that I didn't even recognize you. I have lost so much in my life, pretty much everything I knew. And well, I am still facing more losses right now. That may seem strange to you, and your men, how a Secret Service agent, or even just a plain American citizen, did not recognize her Commander in Chief. And truth be told, I really have no defense for that, however, had you known all that has happened to me and how drastically that has affected my life then maybe you could understand." A tear escaped, and she quickly swiped at it. "I have been pretty much in seclusion for over ten months, during that time I didn't watch any TV, nor did I read any newspapers, or magazines. You look different than a picture I would have seen you in last year. I was also never assigned to your detail, I had a lot of cases to work on in the field that required a female agent to help. So whenever I was rarely called up on the campaign trail, it had always been at one of your opponent's venues. And I-I...never mind, sir. I've already said way too much. Don't worry, I will make it right first thing in the morning so we can put this whole embarrassing situation behind us. I'll no longer be an agent. And as of right now, thank you for your concern, but I will be fine to drive home."

His hand tightened on hers stopping her from moving, "Agent Rawlings, please grab her keys. You'll drive. Just as I told you a few minutes ago that you would be driving her vehicle home."

She was just digging herself deeper and deeper into this awful, nightmarish situation. She wasn't thinking straight, and admittedly she hadn't been thinking straight since her accident, a few short weeks before being notified of her father's death just ten months ago. Raven's face flushed, and maybe that was also the very reason why she suddenly was too tired to even care about being strangely, and very expertly maneuvered into the middle of her backseat with _him_ seated firmly on her left, another agent on her right, and two in the front. She was stuck. All the way to her condo.

_Just breathe._ He was a little too close, a tingling sensation raced up her arm and then rested in her neck, causing it to twitch. _The irony of her situation astounded her._ If it was anyone else she would probably laugh so hard she would cry in hysterics. But this was her, this was _him_ , and this was real life, not some goofy made up story. How could she loudly tell this man to stop slightly, but oh so softly, rubbing her hand, without making yet another scene in front of these CAT guys? Not even his hands seemed White House material, they were calloused.

"Lean back and try to rest." His left hand reached across and felt her forehead, lingering there for a few extra minutes then was comfortable, while his right hand continued to tenderly hold hers across his lap. "Is your stomach settled more?"

She couldn't speak. This was not real. It couldn't be, this was indeed a nightmare.

"Forget it, don't answer. Just rest." Slyly, he shifted his shoulder and pushed her head softly down onto it. Holding her there until she gave in. "Stay. Don't move." His breath ruffled her bangs, the slight commanding breeze sending goose bumps across her forehead.

Another command, another law. She really had no backbone right now. His fresh, outdoorsy smell bathing his t-shirt mixed with his musky cologne filled her nostrils, further relaxing her as her eyes helplessly started to drift shut. It had been a long, eventful day and she was just way too tired to fight it anymore. In all of her years that she could remember, she had never had such an emotional rollercoaster of a day; going from one extreme to another. That was why she didn't move her head away from him, nor her hand. That was why she had given in so easily to these men. And it most certainly wasn't because he surprisingly made her feel unusually safe, secure, comfortable, and oh so protected; something she had always secretly longed for. Nor was it because her body was traitorously relaxing next to his. Nor because he had just commanded it. _She was just too exhausted to do anything else._

# Chapter 3

Stretching, Raven yawned. Why was it already time to get up? Blindly turning off her alarm, she felt a paper flutter to the floor. Always a "neat freak" she couldn't possibly imagine what that was. Oh well, she was just too tired to look, mustn't be too important because she couldn't remember. She could really sleep a few more hours, though, she had had a horrible nightmare. It seemed so real, but it had to be a nightmare because how else could she explain getting to bed and not remembering? Well, Raven was definitely not going to analyze that dream, and she had to get up. She really did need to try and get out of this new detail. A field office job had never sounded so good.

The moment her feet hit the floor, Raven instinctively looked down and frowned. Picking up the handwritten note, her chest suddenly tightened. ' _Good morning! I hope you have a wonderful day today and don't worry, I will make sure my eaglets behave for you today. Drake.'_

Oh...no, oh no, oh no, oh no! Reality set in a like a ton of bricks smashing into her abdomen. Stoically, Raven immediately walked into her kitchen and started her coffee. Then sat down at her kitchen table and began writing her resignation letter. Refusing to think any more about yesterday, and more pointedly last night, she clung to the routine of getting ready for work. The extra weight of her gun highlighting its presence at her side didn't seem to bother her as much today. Probably because she knew it would be turned in the moment she arrived at Headquarters. She would not step foot in the White House and follow protocol by checking in with her new Special Agent in Charge (SAIC). Aside from obvious reasons, it just didn't seem right checking in and then immediately checking out.

Leaving a few minutes early, Raven grabbed her bag, and unlocked her door, all the while her mind was calmly listing all that she would have to do in order to leave town today. Thankfully that list was short because she wanted out of this town as soon as possible. The sound of the sirens in the distance reminded her of that necessity. For the first time ever, Raven turned off the radio transmitter in her car while she turned onto Constitutional Avenue. She couldn't quite handle the traffic on there, all of the agents checking in, or checking out. And most importantly, she really didn't want to know any more about _him_ then what was positively necessary as a citizen of the United States. _Ever!_

She just wanted to get this over and done with. Locking her car in the agency's parking garage, Raven sighed when she glanced down at her boots. Bending down to fix her pant leg, she didn't even notice the black SUV pulling up in front of her until it was too late. As she straightened, a scream clogged in her throat. Her eyes widened and she was virtually shell shocked as within milliseconds she was very carefully, but firmly placed into the back of it. Her face was resting against something soft, while the rest of her body was screaming from the hard rubberized, unforgiving plastic mat beneath it. Her empty hands gripped the black floor mats, her nostrils were filled with the strong latex smell, while her mind screamed. Growling, Raven went to sit up, but a boot stopped her.

"Stay down."

Anger rose within her. She was getting a little tired of men _commanding_ her to do something! "What am I doing in a CAT mobile? I don't know what you all are about, but I have had enough!" The unmistakable sound of computer keys clacking away, and radio traffic noise drowned out his reply. She was sure it wasn't to let her sit up because someone's boot was still resting heavily on top of her. Just at the right spot where it could easily squash any sudden movement from her. Respect for them, and their uncanny procedures annoyingly entered her mind. No other federal agency had the "element of surprise" down quite like these guys did.

Raven tried to breathe and relax, but that too was taken from her when the boot was lifted off of her and she was swiftly placed into a seat. She instinctively grabbed her forehead, as her head spun.

" _Special Agent Raven Rose Somers._ " His hands continued to dust off her suit and straighten her jacket. "Might I have the pleasure of saying that on behalf of the CAT team, how wonderful it has been in welcoming you into our little home away from home? Regrettably we do not get many visitors. In fact, I do think you are one of the first, well, protection agents that is. And it has been such a pleasure that we hope we will be able to do this again sometime."

His smart-alecky chuckle did nothing towards making her feel welcome. And there just was something unnerving about the way he pronounced her name.

Raven hit at his hands dusting off her pant legs. "Stop it!"

His eyes twinkled with barely controlled laughter, "Well, we want you to look your best today. You know, there are just so many of...um...people that might be watching you today so you must look your best. And of course, it being your official first day back on the job. Now a few of my men were just so upset about last night when they were unable to wish you a proper goodnight. You were so soundly sleeping that they just could not wake you. Right guys?"

"Oh yeah."

"Uh...uh."

"So very upsetting."

Rolling her eyes, Raven tried to brace herself for what was to come next. She looked back to the dark haired man with dark green eyes talking to her.

"So, _Special Agent Raven Rose Somers_ , we thought that what better way to apologize for our men's inability to say goodnight to you last night, then to personally drive you to work first thing this morning so that we will all be able to personally wish you a great day. All except um Agent Miller, of course. He was a little upset he could not accompany us on our little errand this morning, he is still a little sore in the eye from a little misunderstanding he endured last evening at the training facility. Those instructors' offices can be so very dangerous."

The sudden coughing fits from all of the men, but him, was comical at best; and way, way too obvious.

"We are punctual as always and have now arrived at your destination. So here is your bag, and everything in it is exactly what you protection agents need for a full day's work. Actually more so, I don't think I have ever met a protection agent that carries all of their issued items to work with them. Anyway, your vehicle however is regrettably not here yet, but it will be arriving in the designated agent parking lot at promptly 4:58 p.m. That should give you plenty of time to change shifts and sign out, which will happen at about...," looking at his big black watch for an extra dramatic effect, he continued, "5:00 p.m, or 1700 hrs whichever time you prefer to use. You will then be able to arrive home at precisely 5:15 p.m., depending on traffic congestion, of course. Then eat supper, and have a wonderful goodnight sleep, again. Unless of course, something really unexpected should happen in the middle of the night. _Again._ " Shrugging, he rolled his eyes, "You just can never really tell when living in these parts. Our Nation's Capital is just so full of surprises, especially in the evening hours." His dull laugh, was not amusing in anyway. "But I do feel that I must warn you about working out at the training facility after hours. You just never know who you will run into. I mean with all of the classes going on it's just a wee bit safer for someone as fair as you to watch your back."

Bright morning sunlight streamed into the SUV as the door flashed open. "As punctual as always, _Mr. Moreno_."

No, no, her stomach dropped, _the SAIC of the CAT team!!?_

A thick dark head of hair swiveled around from the driver seat, "Thank you, _Mr. McDonald._ I must say, I do enjoy hearing you speak. You have such a way with words."

Unable to close her mouth, the agent sitting next to her politely lifted up her chin for her, while her eyes popped open staring blankly at _Mr. McDonald?_ The Assistant Special Agent in Charge, as well? Her face paled.

His eyes sparkled at her discomfort, "Have a great day Agent Somers. Once out of our vehicle, continue up the walkway and you will find the entrance door you are to go through. Your SAIC is waiting for your arrival. I am personally glad that we were able to place you back on the _right path_. Please, don't divert off of it again. It can get a little treacherous when you do." His look spoke volumes, as his smile broadened. "I have no doubt you will be fine... _now_."

If someone had told her yesterday that there was a unique way to cleverly shove someone out of a vehicle very carefully, and with such care Raven would have called them on it. But now, she had just experienced it. Standing there on the sidewalk, Raven let her bag drop to the ground, as her eyes were unable to disconnect from the black SUV carefully driving away. What was that? What had just happened?

Okay, fine, maybe she couldn't explain it, nor understand it, but that didn't by any means mean that she would have to go along with it. Picking up her bag, she turned towards the guard shack she knew to be hiding in the trees. She would just have the uniformed division guard call in a ride for her. Stepping off of the curb, Raven came right up against a solid, muscular body. Her face brushed against his black duty shirt. Strong arms steadied her as her ankle rebelled, her own fingers unintentionally clawed into his forearms for support.

"Sorry, Agent Somers, but you were veering off your path." Concern quickly covered his face, "Are you alright?"

Swallowing hard, Raven closed her eyes. "Yes, I'm fine. Perfectly fine." Backing away from him, she was immediately shocked to see him bending down, lifting up her pant leg, and starting to unlace her boot to check out her ankle. Right here in broad daylight!

"Your bad ankle, wasn't it?"

Pushing away his hands, Raven growled out, "Stop it. I'm fine." Trying in vain to hide her wincing, she took a steadying breath, "I'm fine. _Really._ "

Unconvinced, the blonde headed agent straightened up with his hands firmly on his hips, his green eyes stern. "You really mustn't keep your SAIC waiting." Grabbing her bag from her tightened grip with ease, and with his other hand steadying her, the agent turned, "Okay, let's go to work, now. But first we may need to ice that ankle of yours to help prevent any further injury to it."

Forcing herself to walk normally, Raven grimaced, "I'm fine. It was just a little twinge, but it is fine now. By the way... _who are you?_ "

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm Agent Lawrence, of the CAT team of course. And apparently, your personal escort to work this beautiful morning." His smile deepened. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Completely oblivious to her protests, he easily guided Raven all the way up to her SAIC's office and into the chair right in front of his desk. Her black bag was placed very carefully by her side. Tipping his black cap, Agent Lawrence smiled again towards her, "It was my pleasure. Have a wonderful first day back on the job, Special Agent Raven Somers. And have a great day, too, Special Agent Rockefeller, sir. But would you mind stepping outside with me for a few seconds? I need to share something with you."

"Oh, certainly. I will be right back Agent Somers." As soon as the door shut behind him, Raven leaned back in the chair, utterly confused.

An hour had passed and she was still too stunned to say anything, other than the required yes, or no. Raven just obediently sat there while her new boss went over everything.

By the end of the day, Raven's eyes hurt. Stretching in her chair at her new desk, she could not remember the last time she had read so much.

"Raven. It's time for shift debriefing."

"Oh, okay. I was just finishing."

"Hey, girl, I just have to ask you," Agent Smith chuckled. "What did you do to get punished so badly?"

Her heart dropped, "What?"

"Well, normally, as someone new rotates in they are right away pushed out into the operations so they can immediately learn the routine. It's a precaution for others that may have to call off work. But you have been stuck at this desk, protecting it instead." Shrugging, Eric moved grabbing up his coke, "Maybe they are changing a few things. Must be something new. But I must say, better you than me because I prefer movement, rather than desk sitting. That's why I moved to protection as soon as I could from the field. I do not like wasting my time on paperwork."

Puzzlement creased her brow, "Yeah, I guess. I don't know." She really wasn't sure about a lot of things anymore.

In the past she would have agreed with Eric, but now, she was actually so relieved that she had been on the desk today, quietly reading. Man, today would not have been a good day for her had they put her right smack dab in the middle of duty. Apparently, the two little kids had a knack for trying each agents' patience. It should have typically been a low key day with them being in residence, but from the various reports coming in, Raven's ankle seemed to throb a little more just listening to them. A wry smile crossed her face, at least she could easily see that each agent, ready to admit to it or not, had a soft spot for those two.

"Just sign right here." The uniformed clad duty agent pointed to the next opening spot on the book. "Oh, and I also have something else you have to sign."

"Okay." Raven looked over to where a new set of papers were laid.

Fidgeting around with some more papers, the officer kept the top portion of the papers covered.

"What is this regarding?"

"Nothing really, just protocol for this big house."

"Oh, okay." Raven gave him back his pen, and continued to wait.

"Yes?"

Raven frowned, "Well, don't I get a copy of what I just signed?"

"I...well..."

"Well, hello Special Agent Somers. How was your beautiful day?"

Groaning, Raven turned and immediately headed for the exit doors forgetting the paperwork. "Fine, Agent Lawrence." She schooled her voice to sound bored, "How was yours?"

His laughter seemed to pierce right through her, "Perfectly fine. Now let me show you to your vehicle."

She stopped, "Well, I don't know, it may not..."

"Oh, I just saw it, let me walk you to it."

Raven stopped him, "How do you know what I drive? Okay, never mind that, tell me who drove it here? No let me guess, Agent Rawlings?"

His eyebrows drew together, "I'm sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about. Now, let me take that, can't have you adding weight to that ankle of yours. Especially seeing how I accidentally helped you to reinjure it a little this morning." Grabbing up her bag, he simply started walking towards the cars. "Let's proceed, shall we?"

"I would rather not, but seeing as I have no choice." Raven murmured while she followed him. A few minutes later she stopped at stared.

"Oh, this is all just a little too much for me today." She stood looking at her freshly washed car inside, and out. If only that thing could talk.

"Oh, I hate to hear that. Did all of that reading give you a headache?" His arm gently tapped the hood of her car. "Now, unlock the car so I can put your bag inside. You know, you really don't need to bring every item that was ever issued to you with you every day. Other than your vest, firearm, and earpiece, I would leave most of it at home. It's just added weight that you don't need."

"How did you know?"

"Just a wild, innocent guess. I'm right though, aren't I? How could it be anything else? I mean this bag does weigh a lot, and not bringing it with you to work only makes logical sense. I mean, really, what else could be in that assault bag of yours, right?" Smiling broadly, he placed her bag in the front seat.

"No, I mean how did you know that I read today?" His look was comical. "Oh, just forget it." Raven tiredly opened her door and got in.

"Oh, one other thing. I almost forgot," tapping himself upside the head, he continued, "Let me put this right here for a second." Laying his assault rifle across her hood, Lawrence moved his backpack in front of him. "Seeing as I basically hurt you a little this morning, I bought you supper so you won't have to stand up and cook." He gently placed a large white paper sack onto her passenger seat. Picking back up his rifle, he straightened up and closed her door. "I really hope you enjoy your supper, and make sure you ice your ankle down really good tonight and rest."

"Agent Lawrence, I'm fine. And you didn't hurt anything, it was more my fault. I really wasn't paying attention. As good as I should have, anyway."

"Awww...so very sweet of you to try and take the blame. But nevertheless, it happened. And one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Drive safely and again make sure you put on the ice before you go to bed tonight as well as when you finish eating. And don't worry about the ice melting and getting warm overnight. Everything will work out just fine, I'm sure."

Puzzlement creased her brow, "Okay."

"Sweet dreams, Agent Somers."

"You, too, Agent Lawrence." Raven watched him walk away. He was a little coo-coo that had to be what it was. Raven cleanly steered out of the parking area and was amazed at how tired she actually felt, although she really hadn't done anything physical today, reading monotonous regulations were boring. Shaking her head, Raven pulled onto the highway and had to chuckle. She really hoped tomorrow was not like today. However, she would still have to try and get out of this detail.

Sleekly tapping the pocket on his chest, Lawrence's thumb gently pressed his private communications button, "Agent Zeak. Agent Lawrence."

"Go ahead Agent Lawrence."

" _Sunshine_ is en route to her home. Papers signed, although Tony came very close to blowing it. Dinner delivered, and night suggestion received by her." Slightly frowning, he added, "Extremity, still sore."

"Okay, good save and great job. I will relay the info forward and get back to you should there be anything added. Zeak out."

"Lawrence out." Watching the last of her car leave the designated parking area, Agent Lawrence finally gave into his laughter. She really had no idea what she was up against. He almost pitied her, but it was all for the better. In the end, that woman would be more than alright. Whistling as he walked, regret threatened to end his joyful mood when the slight flicker of wishful thinking reared up. It would have been nice to have seen her first; more particularly before the Big Eagle had. But, then again, that would have been pretty much impossible.

# Chapter 4

Climbing into bed, Raven quickly pulled the covers over her head. She just could not stomach food right now, not when she couldn't figure out what to do. Should she resign and leave? Yes. But a small part of her said no. Something inside of her was ignited today while protecting the desk and reading the monotonous manuals. It was the agents filtering in and out of the office all day that was such a welcoming sight and sound. So different from what she had experienced these past several months. She had never realized how much she had missed the mixture of the office sounds. Holsters being put into desk drawers, the duty desk reminding agents when to relieve each other, and the normal business sounds of the office, phones ringing, radios buzzing, key boards clacking, and the teletype beeping as it received updated sensitive information. She didn't feel alone at the office. But back at home, well, she hadn't disliked it. During her recuperating months, she had craved it. Pure solitude was exactly what she had needed then, but now...well now, she didn't know what she needed.

Lowering the covers and looking towards her ceiling, Raven sighed. A picture of her in shorts and a t-shirt running around the training complex under the dimly lit street lights smiling, ran through her thoughts. She had been so happy, so carefree, so secure back then. _So alive._

Before she could chicken out, Raven quickly dressed and put on her new ankle brace the doctor had encouraged her to wear when doing anything strenuous. She then grabbed a bottle of Gatorade and was out the door in record time. She was on a mission to find herself. She would be fine, even better then fine, she most definitely would be that happily running woman again!

On her drive over to the complex, Raven delightfully remembered how much she had talked to Jesus back then, especially during her running. And how she had known things that she could never explain to others, but knew they could have only come from the Lord as she had fellowshipped with Him. She had always been so at peace during her runs, telling Him all about her current troubles, or issues that she was dealing with at work and her dad; and not to mention the occasional crushes she seemed to hold for a few men. But thankfully those crushes had fizzled out quickly when she had seen how they really were.

Going through the gate had her smiling as she showed the guard her identification. She was already feeling that warm, familiar pull, and she was fully enjoying it. _Finally!_

Stretching, Raven smiled towards the sky. _I'm here, now!_ Giggling, she brought her knees towards her chest, while she watched the last of the days rays glisten across the clear darkening blue sky. Already darkening at this time of evening meant that fall was fast approaching. And with God's help, her days would start getting better right now. Taking off, Raven ran. She felt like she was running for her sanity, for her future, and for her identity.

A half hour later she was not any closer to her destination. The peace hadn't come back, and the darkness outside just seemed to weigh her down even more. Exhausted, she plopped down on the curb by the mock town, right in front of one of the shootout buildings, and hung her head between her legs, closing her eyes. Her ankle throbbed. She groaned. That was all that she had accomplished on this run, more pain in her life. The woman she had once been had never had to run in pain, other than the occasional knit in her side, which was actually a welcoming relief when compared to the career threatening pain she was now feeling.

Covering her face, Raven desperately and silently cried out to God. _Why? Why did things have to change? Why do you not speak to me again? Why did you leave me? My dad always said that you promised in Your Holy Word to never leave us nor forsake us. If that is true, then why did you leave me when I needed you the most? Why don't you speak to me now? What did I do that was so wrong?_ Her tears freely flowed, blanketing her face. And for the first time ever, she didn't try to control them or stop them. She simply let them flow. It didn't matter. No one cared about her. She was all alone in this huge world without anyone to check in with, and having no one to anchor her here. No one knew where she was, nor even cared to know.

As if in a trance, Raven continued to quietly sit there on the curb in her own misery. The physical discomfort and pains suddenly didn't seem to matter at all, all that mattered was letting her tears, quietly, but torrentially fall. Her tears glistened from the bright spot lights that were suddenly shining on her. Still she stared, unmoving except for the needed rise and fall of her chest. Hard, firm hands caressed her face, wiping at her tears, but more still came. Her blank stare continued to haunt the men above her.

"Raven. _Sweetheart,_ what are you doing here?"

Swallowing hard, Raven blinked and looked up into his caring brown eyes. "It didn't come back. He didn't give it back to me."

"Honey, what? What didn't you get back?"

" _Peace._ " Her throat was suddenly clogged by her tears. She gasped for air as he quickly drew her into his sheltering arms, and lifted her up. Her hands laced around his neck, while she buried her face into his soft shirt, the tears still kept coming. "He didn't give me back His peace."

"Go get the car, fast. We've got to get her out of here." Quickly walking towards the direction of the vehicle, Drake held onto her even tighter, praying all the while for wisdom. No words needed to be said, no words came to mind. Just the need to hold her, and to get her as far away from this place as he could. He didn't want her staying any longer at a place where she had seemingly been let down. He never wanted to see her like that again: so lost and so dejected.

In no time they were safely in the black SUV speeding out onto the highway. And for the first time ever, Drake satisfyingly sat in the backseat, resting his head against the soft leather headrest. He actually did not want to be anywhere else, but in this vehicle right now, with this one woman. Kissing her forehead, Drake's left arm possessively secured her tightly to him, his right hand spanning the side of her neck, anchoring her. She may not know it now, but she was right where she belonged. His eyes openly caressed her soft, water stained cheek, and his smile grew. Her long lashes laid against her face in blissful sleep. Looking across to Agent Zeak lounging on the one side, while Agent Lawrence lounged on the other, Drake's chuckles rumbled his chest, "And once again, she is sound asleep. Praise Jesus, this is truly amazing, I have waited so long to hold her in my arms. _So long._ "

Raven was way too comfortable to get up, she felt so warm and cozy with a heat radiating from her blankets. Funny, she never remembered the blanket being a little heavy against her back. Well, she didn't care to analyze it, she just wanted to keep on sleeping. Maybe it wasn't morning. Oh what she wouldn't give for it to be in the middle of the night still. Turning, she reached over to check her clock when her hand grazed against a warm, solid, male chest, at the same moment her chest butted up against a solid unmoving figure. Her eyes shot open and in a flash she was out of the bed. Wincing from the sudden pain radiating up her leg, she covered her face, and bit back a groan. No...oh no, oh no, oh no! Lounging with such a warm, lazy contended expression on his soundly sleeping face was the President of the United States (POTUS).

Forcing her eyes open, and refusing to look over to the bed, Raven quickly scanned the strange room trying to get her bearings. She immediately felt some margin of relief when she quickly realized that in no way was she in the White House. It was morning, 7:04 a.m., to be exact, and it was confirmed by the small stream of light coming in from under the dark heavy drapes on the big window. Thankfully, she was right next to the bedroom door, and her shoes were right there on the side of the room where she was. She was so relieved that she would not have to go too near that bed, again. Very quietly, and quickly she put her shoes on and ran out of the bedroom.

She slowed down when she saw that the hallway dumped out towards what appeared to be the living room. Raven stopped and re-fixed her ponytail. Well, at least she was still fully clothed in her running gear. And swallowing hard, she cleaned her eyes, he was partially so. And that image would leave her head. _It would,_ because she would make it!

Agent Lawrence, Agent Rawlings, and two more she did not know were lounging around the living room, sound asleep. Glaring, Raven walked purposefully over to Agent Lawrence sleeping on one of the couches. Hands on hips, she raised her shoe clad foot and was about to place it exactly where someone else had done to her yesterday morning, but then stopped. She did not need a crude lesson on that counterattack move, not now. So thinking better of it, she instead leaned in and poked him in the arm, and then stepped back, just in case his instincts took over in his sleep, too. Hands swinging, a body as lithe as any with catlike reflexes he shot up before her, ready to go in for the kill. Oh, so thankful he was dressed too, well partially so. Driving her hands on her hips, she straightened, stretching as tall as she could to reach his face. Her glare seared him. "Take me home, _now!_ " Her voice was low, demanding, and menacing. Her mind rejoiced at her ability to floor him, and her uncanny acting ability at projecting an intimidating female. Boy, had her love for acting come in handy in more times than she could count, through college and most definitely through her career as an agent.

"Uh...uh," visibly swallowing, he ran his shaking fingers through his hair. Oh man, this woman was mad! _What to do, what to do?_ Scanning the room confirmed that his buddies had not encountered her yet. Grabbing up his t-shirt he jerked it on and turned back to her. Still standing there watching him, waiting. He would have to try a different approach. Smiling, concentrating on lightening his expression, he turned on the charm as he slyly kicked awake his reinforcement. "Well, good morning Special Agent Raven Somers. How are you, doing?" One smaller step to the right, nine inches to be exact, and he could reach Zeak. "Are you hungry? I'm sure you must be." _Wham!_ Zeak shot up.

"What!?" He swung to the right, "Oh."

"Take me home, now." Her glared intensified, searing both of them.

"Not before breakfast." Lawrence's chuckle did not have the effect he wanted it to.

Her hand struck out and grabbed his shirt. "Not so fast. I know what you're doing. Trying to wake each one up. What's wrong can't handle me? Well, there isn't anything to handle, just take me home now. _Please!_ "

"I-I don't know."

Desperation kicked in and overtook her, her eyes pleaded with him, "I've got to get back. Listen, I'm already going to be late for work this morning. Come on... I can't be here with _him_. It's not right that I'm here with _him_."

"Take her home."

Sudden chills ran up her spine, his deep and graveling, sleep filled voice slammed against her. Her mind helplessly recalled last night. He had been so caring, his arms had comforted her in a way that she craved. Her arm dropped and she purposefully walked over to the door, unlocking it. Refusing to look in his direction, she just stood there knowing they would of course, obey _him_ without question.

"Yes, sir."

The sound of keys being picked up echoed through the room, and she still did not breathe. She stepped out into the outside foyer and waited. Agent Lawrence stepped in front of her putting on his jacket to cover up his side holster and she gladly followed him. Someone walked behind her. She refused to look, but somehow she knew it wasn't _him_. She couldn't speak, she just continued to follow Lawrence to his government SUV. She climbed in, and leaned back, her mind blank as the various CAT agents checked-in for the day over the radio transmitter.

"Agents, be advised that Eagle is still asleep in residence. Stand down for more info. CAT duty desk out."

Her face flamed with shame, Raven continued to look out her window, crossing her arms with force. She was half tempted to lean into the front seat, get on the radio, and ask him to double check that information because whoever he got it from, was completely wrong.

"Wow, amazing, he moves fast. Uh, I think he missed his calling, he should have been one of us. I think he puts our Spiderman tendencies to shame, though. He's more like Batman with his late night escapades of late." Lawrence shrugged.

The other agent started having a coughing fit. She turned and glared right into Lawrence's rearview mirror. His sparkling eyes met hers, then he suddenly frowned. "Uh, sorry, too soon, right?"

Glaring even harder, Raven gripped her seatbelt until her nails were biting into the palms of her hands. Muttering, she forced out a breath, "I can't believe this. You know, I think I am losing my mind. I really am, this is just way too surreal."

Lawrence immediately opened his mouth to object, but Zeak quickly recovered from his coughing fit and growled out something low to Lawrence, stopping him.

She would have loved to hear what he said because Lawrence, thankfully, did not udder one peep the rest of the way.

"So long, Agent Somers, see you at the White House later," smiling, Lawrence waved a hearty goodbye.

Zeak punched him in the arm, "Quit it."

Laughing, Lawrence watched her storm into her condo, and he waited for the door to fully close before backing away. "Man, she scares me. Whew...I hope Big Eagle knows what he's doing. It's a good thing he's a black belt, he just may need it with her. You know, we're going to have to teach him some holds that no 'protectors' or 'fielders' are aware of. I know a few that I'm sure that spitfire couldn't even begin to think out the counter moves on."

"Yeah. We better suggest it. So, do you think she will go to work, or try to resign again?"

Rubbing his stubbly chin, Lawrence shrugged, "You know, it beats me. I would quickly say resign, but then again, I don't know, she just... She seems to go against what I would think would be normal instincts. She definitely didn't do what I was so sure she would do last night. She didn't eat, nor go to bed, she left. And where we found her," shaking his head, concern crossed his face. "I don't know, she is one big puzzle to me. But, man, I pray the Lord heals her soon."

"Yeah, He is. As Drake said, part of the path is part of the healing. Even though we aren't aware of it, it is happening." Taking a deep breath, Zeak grabbed his private communications radio, "We better have both plans in play, just in case."

"Yeah, definitely."

"Hey, do you think she'll find the phone this time?"

Raising his eyebrows, Lawrence chuckled, "If not, I'm sure that the phone will find her."

"Okay, what did Techy do?"

"Well, after he deleted all of the miss calls and texts, he changed a few things. Let's just say that the ringtone volume is now on high, and won't stop at all until it is answered. And the ringtone is one that is really hard to miss."

"What is it?"

"Well, he put the theme song to... _oh, no_ , oh my goodness!" Lawrence laughed so hard he had to pull over for a few minutes to even gather his composure to finish driving the last mile, and was still unable to tell him.

# Chapter 5

She was definitely resigning. There was no way she could continue like this. Pulling her slightly damp hair up into a French twist, Raven walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. All she would have to do is print it out again because for some weird reason her printed out letter was no longer in her laptop bag. "Wait a minute. Where was it?" Panicking, Raven searched all over her laptop. It didn't take long because, as in everything else, she always kept her laptop clean. Yesterday morning flashed in her mind.

"Oh, no, no, no...they didn't, they couldn't have." She vividly remembered the clacking of a keyboard while she was laying on the floor in their truck. "They deleted it! It had to be them. But how would they have known her password?" It wasn't common, it wasn't related to her in anyway, she used all of the talked about 'necessary rules' for creating one as a double precaution. "Oh boy, they are good. _Too good._ And that was a good resignation letter, too."

Glancing again at the time, she knew there was no way she would have enough time to write another one, so she would just have to do it later. Already a little late, Raven grabbed up her heavy black bag with renewed determination to leave work with enough time to go to Mr. Mayer's office and turn it all in.

A few seconds later, Raven stood frozen in shock. Sitting on the front passenger seat of her locked car was a bag from her favorite bagel shop, and resting in the cup holder was her favorite iced coffee. Quickly scanning the area, Raven saw nothing. She felt nothing. Her uncanny sense of warning was not detecting anything. And the unmistakable markings on that cup was exactly like she had always had when she had ordered it.

She couldn't help but smile, she had forgotten all about her favorite little bagel shop hidden from all of the tourist traps across the bridge, and there was only one other shop besides that one. The shop that had been near her field office in Maryland. Rounding her vehicle to get in, Raven's mouth started watering, she was so thirsty for her all-time favorite drink. And she would also bet that in that little bag was also her favorite cinnamon and raisin bagel, toasted with lite cream cheese on both sides, smashed together. A closed sandwich ready to eat. She couldn't prevent herself from giggling when she looked inside of the bag. _It was!_

How they did it, she really had no idea, and she probably shouldn't eat or drink it. Throwing both things out right in front of them when she knew they would be looking would be the thing to do, but then again, she really didn't know where those elusive guys would ever be.

Her first sip of her favorite coffee had her smiling with delight. She took her time driving in so that she could enjoy her breakfast. _Thank you, Jesus!_

After signing in, Raven walked towards the elevators with a slight limp. Her ankle was already more sore than yesterday, and last night definitely had not helped it any. It had been one big mistake trying to 'run back to her old life.' Shifting her bag to her other hand, Raven pushed the button to go up.

"Are you going somewhere for a while?"

"Uh?" Turning, she smiled at Rick, and laughed, "Now, why would you ask that?"

"Well, if I'm not mistaken, your assault bag is a little heavier than usual. That is of course unless you're going on a trip. But I strongly doubt that. So, you want to talk about why you probably have all of your issued items in that bag?"

"There isn't anything to talk about." Her eyes looked to the floor.

"Right. Well, in that case you better use the other elevator because it looks like that one is stuck again."

"The other elevator?"

"Yep." He pointed to the other end of the hallway.

She frowned.

"Oh, come on. And give me the bag."

Letting him take it from her, she followed him, musing, "Now, let me ask you a question."

"Go ahead."

"What are you doing down here? Why aren't you at the complex?"

Lifting his shoulder, Rick smiled, "I get around. I like to make sure I know what's going on since I'm having to train some of the new uniformed division guys as well."

"Sure, like I believe that. There must be another reason, like for instance maybe a woman?"

Laughing, Rick stopped and waved to another uniformed officer behind another check-in desk. Pointing to himself and her with a thumbs up.

"Yeah, go ahead in. Clearance granted." The officer lifted up a white piece of paper with signatures on it, then buzzed them through.

That's strange. "Where are we? I have never been to this part, and they gave me a small tour of the area I would be mostly working in yesterday, and this was not it."

"Ah, just another part they probably forgot to show you. Now, what were you saying about a woman?"

A slight uneasiness grabbed at her senses. "You know what, Rick? I'll take my bag now."

"No, no. I'll carry it."

Raven stepped in and tried to grab it, but he laughed and held it in his other hand while pulling off one of his sleek back-step maneuvers.

"Come on, I'm not kidding, Rick."

His eyebrow lifted, "I said that I would carry it for you, and I am."

"Fine." Her neck tensed, something was definitely not right. She quickly scanned the area and readily noticed that the area was pretty high tech and other regular protectors like Rick and herself were not around. "You know what, Rick. On second thought, just forget it, and you can keep the bag." Turning on her heel, Raven bumped smack dab into another guy a little shorter than herself. "Sorry, I jus..."

"Hi, Agent Somers. How are you doing today? Wow, I haven't seen you in a while." His blue eyes sparkled.

The CAT mobile! He was the guy that had given her bag back to her. Her eyes narrowed, sensing a change in the atmosphere, she quickly turned back to Rick to see if he was still there. He was, along with six other CAT guys, in full dress black gear smiling, and waving. Turning back around, to make her escape, there were more. Just smiling and waving. Her breath rushed out and she rubbed her face. " _What now?_ "

"Hey, Agent Somers, we are going your way. You know what, we'll help you, and even personally show you the way. Don't worry, it's easy to get lost around this big house. It happens all of the time. Come on, let's go guys."

She rolled her eyes, and kept her feet firmly planted.

"Raven, he just wants to see you. He did not like how you two parted ways this morning, and it won't sit well with him for the rest of the day. _Please_ , just give him that." Agent Zeak whispered into her ear.

Looking over to her right, she saw it was the other agent in the car this morning.

" _I can't._ "

His eyebrow raised, questioning. "Come, we don't have much time."

She was moving forward without wanting to, a subtle pressurized move from behind and from all sides. From anyone else's vision it probably just looked like a bunch of guys and a girl walking causally across the room. Well, that was far from it. Seeing quickly that firmly planting her feet on the floor was pointless, Raven tried to brace herself for the upcoming confrontation with _him_. Nudging the agent that had just talked to her, Raven desperately tried again, "I can't. I'm already late for work. _Please._ "

He immediately shook his head no. "Work has already been taken care of."

"How? Surely, you didn't tell them..."

He glanced back at her, "You will be briefed on the details when you need to be."

That was it? She would be briefed? How dare he? The nerve...her fists contracted and released. She was already again fighting for self-control, and was pretty sure that sooner or later it was going to be a losing battle. How they were strategically moving and hiding her at the same time had her wondering if it was for her benefit, or other people's benefits. Well, then again, it could very well be for both reasons.

Suddenly, her leg gave out and she fell forward, her hands instinctively grabbing a hold of the agent whom she had just been speaking with. She just barely controlled her surprised yelp. Her ankle stretched uncomfortably. Thankfully the group immediately stopped, protecting her ankle from further damage.

"Are you alright, Raven? Is it your ankle again?"

She couldn't speak, her eyes closed tightly as her teeth gritted, fighting through the surprised pain. She tightened her grip even more on the man's shirt and nodded her head at Agent Lawrence. She hadn't even noticed that he was one of the guys in the group.

"Okay, okay. Just listen to me. It is very crucial that you listen and do exactly what I say." His voice whispered the command for her to lean slightly back and relax. As she obeyed, strong arms lifted her up slightly off the floor from both sides of her. "Good, good. Now lean your head back against my chest. Yep, just like that. Okay, just continue to relax. Now, let go of the death grip you have on Zeak, and grasp onto my arms for support."

"Okay." His grip was firm, but surprisingly comfortable. It was amazing how they were able to carry her and keep her hidden at the same time. They were just too good at what they did.

"You know, I probably can walk now."

"Nope, not taking a chance. Now keep your voice down, we are almost there."

Thankfully, she was being more or less protected from whom they might run into. That made her feel much better because she sure did not want anyone seeing her sneaking off to see the President. _Oh, man, that just sounded so very wrong._

By the looks of the white low ceiling above her she surmised that they had just entered into another room.

"Okay, you sit right down here. And I'm going to have a look at that ankle."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it."

Ignoring her, Agent Lawrence lifted up her pant leg, and worked at taking off her boot.

"I said don't worry about it."

In answer, he simply lifted up his eyebrow, and continued on. Gritting her teeth, Raven held her breath.

"It's nothing, right?" Lawrence smirked.

Without thinking she punched him in the arm.

"Techy? Bring me the cold gel pack, please." Stopping what he was doing, Lawrence looked her straight in the eyes with a seriousness she really did not want to deal with. "So your doctor gave you a full job clearance?"

Her doctor's concerned face flashed through her mind, and just as quickly she squashed it. Looking down at her hands, Raven responded, "Yes."

"Just as I thought. So what did you do to get it? Bake him cookies?"

Her mouth dropped open, "No!"

"Okay, so what were the conditions on the release?"

Lifting her head higher, she glared at him, "What do you mean?"

Grabbing the gel pack from Techy, Lawrence proceeded to carefully put a small towel around her ankle and then started to duct tape the gel pack to it. "Yep, just as I thought."

"Hey, what do you mean by that?"

He just shrugged.

"Hey, I passed the mile and half the other day. In fact you were one of the guys out there at the training complex, remember?"

The side of his mouth lifted in a smirk, "Believe me, I am not likely to forget that evening anytime soon. Your screams were deafening."

Her face burned with embarrassment.

"And the result of that running test most likely added to that little, uh..."

" _Lawrence._ Stop." The man Raven had just recently found out was Zeak, came to stand directly behind Lawrence.

Shaking his head, Lawrence apologized, "Sorry, my mouth tends to get away from me sometimes."

"Yeah, I noticed."

"So, Raven," Zeak stood with his arms crossed, his feet planted shoulder width apart. He sure meant business, no wonder Lawrence always immediately obeyed him. And that certainly didn't seem to bode well for her.

"Yes?"

"Why is it that you aren't wearing your gun?"

"Why? Do you want me to shoot _him_ when he comes in?" Her hand covered her mouth just as the last of her words flew out. And of course, at the exact same time she also felt a huge amount of eyes on her. "I didn't mean...I-I just...," growling, Raven added, " _Lawrence!_ You are already rubbing off on me."

"Hey, don't blame me for your little hiccup." Laughing, he finished his taping job.

"So, it's like that, eh? Avoiding that question too?"

"What are you talking about?" Raven turned on her full wattage smile.

He tilted his head, "Right. Is that smile supposed to make me suddenly forget? Well...," he pretended to think on it. "Nice smile, but it didn't. I can still remember. So, why aren't you wearing it?"

She swallowed a little bit too noticeably. They never searched her, and if they tried, she just wouldn't let them. Her arms crossed, "How do you know that I'm not?"

His face looked comical, his voice squeaky, "A little birdy told me."

"Tweet. Tweet." Lawrence smiled and stood, crossing his arms, too. "Come on, Raven, how come?"

"You didn't search me. So how would you know?"

"Oh, come on, you insult me. It's our job and you know it, too."

"Fine. Well, seeing how I have a new job, they apparently kept me protecting the desk yesterday. So, why would I need one for that? I mean what do I have to protect the desk from, paper capers?"

"Ha ha ha. Good try at being funny. But really, is that all you have? We all know that protectors and fielders never go without it, hey all of us here was one at one time. And they especially pack when they are out and about, or going to and from work. So what gives?" Lawrence frowned.

Zeak just continued to stare directly at her.

Suddenly sweating, Raven tried to nonchalantly wipe her brow. "It's in my bag." Her voice sounded so weak even to her.

Zeak took a step closer. "So, it's been just over ten months since the incident. Right?"

" _Accident."_

"Eh? Hardly. That was an _incident_."

" _Accident!_ " Her eyes glared at him, her posture ridged. She would call it what she wanted to. Needed to.

"Okay, fine, let's play your way. But before I do, what happened that you would possibly call it an accident?"

"Because I said it was!" Raven huffed and looked away.

Knowing he was getting nowhere, Zeak tried a different approach. One that he figured would get to the bottom of why she was not packing heat. "Okay. So, have you shot your weapon since your _accident_?" Yep, she tensed. His phone went off, and after quickly looking down, Zeak motioned to Lawrence that Drake was on his way. Then he walked over to the door and waited for him, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on Raven's suddenly relieved posture. Considering her incident, he had a strong feeling he knew what the problem was, and with his next phone call she would be experiencing more emotional pain. But it had to be done, it was the only way she would deal with it. If not, she would continue to run, and could possibly get really hurt in the process. Besides, they could not have an agent afraid of her own gun, or the shooting of someone else's. He just was not sure which of those were true in this case, but he would bet it had to be one of them. But first, he would definitely have to run it by Drake. So while continuing to wait for his arrival, Zeak talked to Jesus about her, again.

Good, he left. Raven breathed a sigh of relief. Her head started to hurt. Why was this week so full of emotions and dealing with this, or that? Why couldn't she have been able to just get right back into her routine without a care in the world? That was all she really needed. To just get back into the routine, and to be left alone in peace. Leaning back, Raven rubbed her face, "Lawrence, do you have any Advil?" She knew he was still standing there.

"Sure. Let me get you some water to go with it."

She kept her eyes closed, waiting for him to return with the Advil and water. Raven really wished that this elusive group of men would have continued to stay elusive to her. Then she would only have to deal with one or two of them whenever she would do a site advance.

"Here you go."

Opening her eyes, Raven sat up and reached up to take it from him when her eyes looked to the movement at the door. _He_ was here. Her eyes locked with his, and her stomach dropped.

"Raven? Take your Advil." Lawrence waved it in front of her. "Hello, right here?"

"What? Oh, thank you." Quickly taking it from him, Raven took them and made sure she took enough water so she wouldn't choke. She really didn't need another issue on her hands. "I'm in big, big trouble. I'm going to get fired, and blacklisted by the government."

"Why?" Lawrence looked over his shoulder to Zeak who was in a heated conversation with Drake. And Drake was starting to look pretty mad and running his fingers through his hair. "Oh." Taking the glass from her suddenly shaking hands, Lawrence smiled, "Don't worry, I'm sure, no I'm positive he isn't mad at you."

"What?" Leaning over to see again, Raven shook her head, "That's not what I was talking about, but yeah, he does look mad. Good, maybe he'll leave now."

"Wishful thinking, my dear, very, very wishful thinking." Lawrence smiled knowingly, "You know, I had a very strong feeling you liked him."

"I don't _like him._ He's overbearing, obnoxious, too forward, and the list goes on. And that's just what very, very little I know of him. And I really want to keep it that way! Should I go on? Or do you get the picture?"

Smiling, Lawrence laughed, "No, I get the picture. And like I said, I knew it would work out, and that you really like him." His eyes twinkled as he started humming the infamous wedding march song.

" _Stop it!_ " Raven growled out. Then without giving away any warning at all, she took her good foot and swiped it in just the right spot and down the big man fell with a resounding _thump!_

Immediately standing, Raven grabbed up her shoe and started marching away. More like limp marching, but that didn't stop her. She stopped just short of the man, Lawrence had called Techy. And there was no such thing as coincidence, he was the one that had given her bag back to her after he had deleted her letter. Placing her hand on her hip, she took the hand holding the shoe and placed it into his face, while she calmly, but vehemently stated, "I may not have my gun on me, but I sure do have this shoe and I'm not afraid to use it. So you had better get me out of this room, and well away from that POTUS man over there, or it will not be a pretty sight when I'm done."

He laughed, he actually laughed! Not just a laugh, but a belly holding, legs crumbling laugh!

That was all it took, she had been pretty nice considering everything that they had been doing to her since she had reported back into work a few days ago. And why, she still didn't know? Why her? Just because _he_ wanted them to? It made no sense, _why her?_ Was it punishment for having a meltdown at the training complex, when she hadn't even known the President was watching? With what she had been through lately she couldn't help the fact that she hadn't recognized him! It wasn't her fault, she had lived like a hermit these last ten months, and now she was on their 'hit list?' They had even managed to enlist the help of her best friend.

Loosing what little string she still had wrapped around her anger, Raven attacked. "Why me? I don't even like _him_! I'm not going down like this! Why am I on your guys' hit list, just because I didn't recognize him at the complex? He didn't even look like a POTUS, he was wearing your CAT running gear. I can't help it if I had a meltdown, _why me?_ Do you have any idea how much trouble I am going to get into? And it's all your fault, you guys keep setting me up! And I don't know why! I'm the one that's going to make the nightly news on being a groupie, and losing her career over it! I'm the one that will be on the chopping block with the directors and every other federal agency! I'm the one that's going to look like she let her fellow agents down. And it's all your guys' faults, including Rick's!" Raven started swinging the shoe as quickly and loudly as the words were leaving her mouth, and she managed to hit at least five of them before steel arms wrapped around her, squeezing her so tightly, she gasped for breath. At the same time, pressure was applied directly to her wrist in just the right spot that she lost her grip on her shoe.

It didn't calm her down one bit, all she was seeing in front of her was red, and she immediately retaliated by butting her head up against what she surmised was her attacker's chest, considering the occasional grunts she heard. His hand let go of her wrist and his arm went around her, his hand spanning her forehead, trapping her head against his chest. It only took a few more tries for her to know that she was completely immobile. She kept her eyes closed as she now fought to calm her erratic breathing.

"Better?" His husky breath tickled her ear, and his steel touch turned slightly to one of a caress as she immediately recognized _his_ voice, just above her head.

Tears pushed forward, threatening to form in her eyes. She had somehow managed to go from fighting for her freedom into further shaming herself. _The Eagle,_ himself, the one that she had sworn to protect no matter what, was holding her now shaking body, immobile. Actually trying to protect himself and the other men from her. The strong fight within her had officially drained causing her to go completely limp. He picked her up and sat her back down onto the couch that she had been sitting on. He stood in front of her, then leaned forward, lifting her chin up.

"Now, look at me."

A command. Her eyes slowly raised, her pulse trembled. Why did he have to be so handsome? He was just wearing a plain silky brown t-shirt, jeans and cowboy boots. Nothing of it spoke of him being a president. Why did the one man that seemed to be the only one to bring out all of these crazy emotions in her, have to be the one that she had sworn to protect?

"You are to answer me yes, or no. No other way is permitted. Got it?"

She nodded her head.

"No, wrong. Only by yes or no?"

She swallowed, "Yes."

"Okay. If I was a CAT guy, or another agent, or someone other than the President, would you be interested in me?"

"No. You are way too pushy, arrogant, overbearing..."

"Nope. I said you can only answer yes, or no." His finger lightly rubbed under her chin.

Her eyes briefly closed. "No." Her eyes glared open when he chuckled.

"Zeak, go get the polygraph."

"Yes, sir!"

What!!? No way. She slapped his all too arrogant hand from under her chin. "Zeak don't you dare!"

Drake chuckled, "Too late. He's already getting one. Why? Do you want to change your answer?"

Icicles formed in her eyes, "No. Never. _No way!_ In your dreams." He was bluffing. He had to be. There was no way he would hook her up to one of those machines. It would have to be documented. They also need a preauthorization to use one.

"Okay. Don't say I didn't give you a chance." He smiled as he confidently walked over to a chair.

He even sat down too arrogantly. Well, there was nothing keeping her here, so she stood up. She didn't know where her boot was, but hey, she would manage.

"Sit down."

"No." Refusing to look at him, she looked over at the group of men, and would have laughed had she been in a better mood. They looked kind of funny nursing where she had hit them. "I take it none of you will help me out, right?"

They all looked everywhere, but at her. "Okay, fine, I get the message loud and clear. See you all, never again." She was officially going straight to Headquarters to resign, with or without all of her issued items. She had no other choice after this latest disaster.

"Take one more step towards that door and I will personally make you wish you hadn't."

"Really? What could _you_ possibly do? Write a new bill that will _personally_ ruin me for life? Well, you know, I will probably be blacklisted from the government, and find a really hard time getting another job anyhow. But right now I'm just way too mad, and I really don't care. So you do not scare me." She went to take another step and immediately stopped as his words filtered through her mind.

"Regardless of our current company, I will kiss you so passionately, and for so long that you will have a very difficult time recovering. Then I will have Techy take a picture of you with me, trying to recover from it, and put it right smack dab in the middle of my credenza under the window, directly behind my personal desk in the Oval Office. Our picture turned towards me, of course, and as people walk into my office, they will see it every time." His voice was frightfully calm, and was laced with an unforgettable warning in it.

She put her foot back down. The room was so deathly quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Okay, so she had not been even remotely expecting that answer.

"Do you realize how many different people walk into my office, Raven?" His steely voice questioned her.

Her face paled, and her fists balled up. Her name on his lips was like a caress and she didn't want that! She didn't. _She really, really didn't!_

A commotion of squeaky wheels had her looking to the door. Her heart dropped. No, they wouldn't. She flashed around to look at _him_. He lazily stood up and pointed back to the couch for her to sit.

"No, I won't sit."

Running his fingers through his hair, Drake shrugged and looked at Zeak, "Did you bring the straps just in case?"

"Yep, I thought ahead." His enjoyment was making her nauseous.

Straps? Frantically looking around him, she saw Zeak with straps dangling from his hands. Raven immediately started backing away until her legs rammed into the couch and she plopped down. They wouldn't tie her to a chair. The squeaky cart kept coming towards her. They wouldn't do this. Looking quickly from Zeak to everyone else in the room, her hope dwindled. They would. She wasn't lying, she didn't like him. How could she? Panic rose as _he_ carefully, but firmly straightened out her right arm to be hooked up. Her arm tingled wherever he touched her, and it infuriatingly radiated up and down her arm. _She was so, so doomed!_

"What? Are you nervous about taking this lie detector test, _Raven_? Why would you be? Unless of course you are lying. Do you want to change your answer then?"

She glared at him and tried punching him with her left hand, but that was quickly seized by _him_.

"Why? Why do you need to know the answer?"

"So _you and I_ can move forward. I'm not hiding what I feel, nor running from it. And you need to stop running, or hiding from what you feel."

Ignoring his last part, Raven smiled and glared, "Great. I'm so ready to move forward. The answer is no, no, no... _NO!_ " She tried to jerk her arm free again, but Zeak just calmly started placing the cuff on her arm. "You know what, where is your signed preauthorization order? You cannot do this without one."

"Oh, Mr. President, sir. I have a freshly printed out order for you to sign." Techy smiled and walked right up to Drake and gave him a printed out government document.

"Why thank you, Agent." Drake exaggeratingly looked it over, "Wow, what do you know? It's a _preauthorization order for a polygraph test._ It even has your name on it Raven. Look!" He held it up to her face and just barely got it away from her as her hand snuck out to grab it. "You know what? I just remembered, I am authorized to sign one of these. Great, right on time, Techy. But might I borrow a pen to make it _legal_?"

To her astonishment, every agent in the room produced one, and very dramatically held it up. Her face flamed, and his voice really grated on her nerves. If his voice got to her that much, then why did her blood have to rush and bring on the tingling sensation throughout her body every time he did talk? _Man!_ Fighting for a lifeline, Raven quickly remembered the laws regarding the usage of one.

"This is a direct violation of my Fifth Amendment right, and my Constitutional right to privacy."

"Well, that may have been true in some cases. However, according to our Federal regulations, I do believe that right tends to be null and void. Seeing as you single handedly, and with a boot, I might add, put every one of us, including the President's protection in danger then, well...you have no Fifth Amendment right to stand on." Zeak looked at her as if he regretted to remind her of that very fact.

Raven groaned, "I'm really, really, really in big trouble."

"Now, why would you be in trouble?" Zeak asked.

Raven covered her mouth, as she scanned the room. All of their arms were crossed, with amused expressions on their faces, and a so very satisfied look on _his_ face confirmed it. Her mouth had gotten away from her again.

"Would you like to proceed? Or would you like to tell the truth?" Zeak looked at her.

She looked right back at him, "I already told you the answer. I'm not changing it."

Zeak flipped on the machine, the needle moved. "Is your name Raven Somers?"

Her jaw tightened. "Yes."

"Okay. Correct."

Raven looked above Zeak to _him_ , who now stood over him like a ruling king. "Please leave the room, or I won't continue."

Drake smiled the most enduring smile she had ever seen in her life. Her pulse skipped a few beats, her hand unconsciously shook.

"Wow, what did you just do?" Zeak turned to Drake.

"I simply smiled at her." Drake tried to look and sound so innocent.

"Well, wow. Don't do it again because I'm afraid it might just break my machine, her blood pressure, and pulse rate just shot up there, along with some respiration issues."

Raven leaned forward to wipe her suddenly warm head onto her short-sleeved shirt.

"Sweating, too? Oh boy, do you really want to proceed Raven, or just admit it?" Zeak smiled at her.

"No, I don't want to."

"Proceed? Or admit it?"

"Both. Neither."

"She's right. She didn't lie. She doesn't want to proceed, nor does she want to admit it."

Raven growled, then bit her lip as everyone in the room clapped and gave each other high-fives, again. _He_ just stood there staring directly at her face, smiling and not saying a word.

"Okay, Agent Somers. I'm going to ask you a question. The first response I want you to say no, and then the second time I ask it, I want you to say yes. Okay?"

Raven bit her lip harder, she really just wanted to get this over with. She nodded.

"Okay. If Drake, behind me, was a CAT guy, or another agent, or someone other than the President of the United States, would you be interested in him?"

"That's easy." She wanted him to know without a doubt that she didn't. So she looked him straight in the eyes, those chocolate, surprisingly endearing brown eyes. Flashbacks of the previous nights when he had shown up out of nowhere just as she had needed someone, raced through her mind. The strength and comfort of his arms holding her left her feeling so secure that she had fallen asleep both times. She couldn't remember when she had slept so soundly since her accident. She cleared her throat and quickly looked away, "No." She closed her eyes.

"Now, remember this time you must answer with yes, even if it is lying."

She nodded.

"If Drake, behind me, was a CAT guy, or another agent, or someone other than the President of the United States, would you be interested in him?"

Nothing. She tightened her closed eyes. She couldn't say it, she couldn't. She gulped. The room waited. Everyone was so quiet. She felt a movement in front of her, a shifting of bodies. Had he left? Hope flickered to life. Peeking through her squinted eyes, Raven gasped. Drake's face was so close, too close. A tear slowly rolled down her cheek. He wiped it. His concentration was completely on her. Her heart leapt.

"Agent Somers please answer the question."

Another tear fell, he wiped it. She swallowed. Her breath caught as he leaned even closer. If she coughed, their noses would meet.

"Agent Somers. The question. Please answer yes. If Drake, the man in front of you, was a CAT guy, or another agent, or someone other than the President of the United States, would you be interested in him?"

Her head nodded, physically bumping into _his_. "Yes." So quietly spoken.

Drake immediately sat down and pulled her onto his lap, hiding her face against his chest. His hand spanned her neck, holding her tighter to him while he kissed her head. His lips moved to her ear, he whispered so only she could hear, "I'm sorry, please forgive me. I just had to hear it from you. I knew, but I was so frustrated with you running away. I just had to hear it from your lips. _Please._ Forgive me."

She nodded, sniffling.

Zeak turned off the machine, and started unhooking her. "Of course you probably all know, but I will announce the findings. The yes answer had the very same results as her name." He looked to Drake and smiled, "Now get into the room, the ice in her coffee is melting. And you've only lost a few minutes, we aren't that far off schedule."

Smiling, Drake stood with his girl finally in his arms again. "Good."

"Stop it. What are you doing? Put me down." Raven tried wiggling out of his arms.

"And she's back with claws drawn." Chuckling, Drake shook his head, this one would always keep him on his toes, he was sure of it. And he would enjoy every day of it. "You know, sweetheart, I have been carrying you ever since I had the pleasure of officially meeting you, so please don't forsake me the pleasure now."

"Why you!" Raven hit his chest, she wished she would have hit harder, then maybe he wouldn't have been able to laugh.

"We are going into another room, and you can't very well walk on the gel pack strapped to your ankle. You could try, as you did a few minutes ago, but then you could also injure it again because you will be off balance. Now, put your good foot down and stand right in front of me."

"Why?" Putting down her foot, Raven turned facing a metal door she hadn't even noticed earlier.

"Okay, now put your left hand on top of mine. Make sure your fingers fall directly in between mine. Your thumb needs to fall between my thumb and index finger."

"No." She just did not trust him.

"Trust me."

"No."

"Okay, humor me then."

"No. Come on, just let me get back to work."

"You're not missed. Don't worry, it's all taken care of." Drake chuckled.

Her mouth opened and he closed it for her. "And no, we aren't wasting tax payer dollars. If you know anything about my background you will know I am not hurting for money, and I can pay my own way. And I do whenever it comes down to a personal issue with me."

Her cheeks flamed. _Personal issue!!?_

"Sweetheart, come on. There is nothing to be afraid of, we are just going in there so we can talk alone. Spend some time together, nothing more."

She glared at him. "I most certainly will not. And furthermore, I am not _your_ _sweetheart!_ You know what, just because you and every one of these guys now know that yes, I would have maybe, probably, a little bit, have been interested in you had you not been who you really are. However, seeing as you are still who you are...hello, _not interested!_ "

"What are you afraid of?" _His_ chuckling was really annoying.

Straightening, Raven put her iced foot down so she would have better balance and not need _him_ holding her up. She looked only straight ahead at the silver metal door in front of her, and calmly placed her hand where _he_ had told her to. Her palm grew warm against the back of his hand, and her stomach flipped. The door easily and quickly slid open, and she jerked her hand away. He then quickly grabbed her up and placed her very gently onto a soft, comfortable couch. Her eyes immediately took in the whole room.

The small room was gorgeous. There was a small square glass-top table with two white leather club chairs at each end, matching the couch set she was sitting on perfectly. Her eyes were quickly drawn to the gorgeous fresh white roses, with one single red rose standing taller and prouder in the middle. They were all together bunched in a beautiful multi-colored glass mosaic vase in the center of the table. The thick, dark burgundy carpet was so soft it begged to be touched. And she couldn't help but graze her hand across it while he walked over to get their drinks. What a beautiful contrast to the beautiful colorful reddish bricks that the walls were covered in. Her eyes looked all around her, normally she would have thought that a small room like this with brick walls would be confining and cold, but this room was so cozy. Her eyes stopped the moment she took in the beautiful small fireplace, her mouth slightly fell open. How could it have taken her this long to see it? Unlike the brick walls, these bricks were of a different color family. Gorgeous creams, and light browns that seemed to accentuate the white couch and chairs. This room couldn't be called a "girl's room," nor a "man cave." This room was altogether a perfect combination of both, so simply decorated it had something that would attract both sexes.

"I take it, you like our room."

Her guard unconsciously down, Raven sighed. "Who wouldn't?" Taking her coffee, she leaned back and took a sip. "Thank you." She could live in this little room.

"You're welcome. And, yes, that's how I feel. I'm so glad you like it, too. My favorite is the big cross behind you."

Immediately looking behind her, Raven smiled. "That is so beautiful." Her fingertips lifted to trace the beautiful glass squares, the exact same multi-colored ones as the vase on the table. The squares molded together made up a beautiful display of a huge old world style cross. "I'm sure this sends a beautiful decoration of light around this whole room when the lights are off and the fireplace is on."

"Yes." His finger lightly brushed hers, his hand slowly spanned over her smaller one. "It is very beautiful. We will have to make sure we do that on our next date, when we have more time. His cross should always be a focal point in every environment, or room, in a person's journey, and especially in... _a couple's relationship._ "

She visibly swallowed, and looked over to him. Her heart stopped. His eyes mesmerized her as he took her hand and rested it onto his lap.

"Hi. My name is Drake. I know your name is Raven. It is such a pleasure to finally meet you." Lifting up her hand he kissed it. His smile really did make her muscles turn to jelly, she couldn't even think to struggle, nor to take her hand back. "Okay, I know what your favorite coffee drink is. What is your favorite food?"

"Bar-B-Q ribs."

"Really? You like those messy foods, eh?" He kissed her hand again, "I do, too. Do you eat your veggies?"

She couldn't help but giggle, "Yes. Do you?"

"Oh most definitely." He winked. "But the best part, what is your favorite dessert?"

"Chocolate mousse. And yours?"

"You guess."

"Um...let's see," she casually rested the side of her head against the back of the couch. "Ice cream."

"I like ice cream, but no not my favorite."

"Okay, how about," she laughed, "cake or cupcakes."

"Nope."

"Is it chocolate?"

He bunched up his mouth, thinking, "It can be."

"What do you mean 'it can be'?"

He chuckled, "I mean, my favorite dessert can come in that flavor."

"I give up. There is way too many different desserts out there."

"You give up too easily. Nope try again." He brought her hand back up to his lips, kissing it. "Should I give you a hint?"

She desperately needed to get her hand back from him, this was way too much. "Yes." Her voice squeaked out. Clearing her throat she blushed.

He smiled wider, his eyes sparkling, "It comes in a can."

"What?"

"My favorite dessert comes in a can."

"Whipped cream?"

"Yep."

"That's not a dessert."

"Yes it is."

"No it isn't, it's a...a condiment, or decoration that goes on top of one."

"Not necessarily. Not when you spray it right from the can and you are completely satisfied with just eating that and nothing else." He slowly turned her hand over, his lips lowered, lingering directly over her pulse. "Plus it goes great with your dessert. In fact it tops it off quite nicely." He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her soft, strong hand. "The two together, are perfect." His eyes quickly held hers, daring her to try to defy his statement. His left hand snuck out, lifting her chin up. "Just as we are perfect together." His voice was so quiet, at first she wondered if she really heard him right. A slight dizziness assailed her as he leaned in, her breath stopped, her heartbeat became erratic, and she gasped. His lips softly grazed her cheek, his nose then rubbed against where he had kissed her, breathing her in. He lifted his head, his nostrils flared. He then turned and leaned back on the couch, lifting up his legs and resting them on the round glass-top coffee table in front of them.

"Don't do that you'll scratch it."

"No, I won't. I specifically ordered this type of glass, knowing we like to wear boots."

"We?"

He smiled and while continuing to hold her hand in his lap, he lifted her chin with his other one making sure she looked him directly in the eyes. "Yes. _We._ "

"Right. You want me to believe that you just put this room together that quickly from a few days ago when you first saw me?"

"No. I'm not trying to make you believe anything. I'm just stating a fact."

Shaking her head, Raven frowned, "You confuse me. How did you order all of this and put up that gorgeous fireplace in just these last two days."

"I'm not trying to confuse you. And I didn't say that I did do all of this in the last few days. I've been working on this room for a while."

"Okay, fine, whatever. Has this room always been here? I mean when the other presidents were in office?"

"Yep. Well, at least the ones in the twenty-first century that I know of. But it was basically a supply closet during those times."

"So you are the one that changed all of this?" Her hand waved around the room.

"Yes. Like I told you."

"But you also said that you ordered this glass specifically for us."

"I did. And that glass, and that chair, that fireplace, this couch, and..."

"Aahhh!" Covering her face, Raven started shaking her head.

Tenderly laughing, Drake leaned in near her face. "What's wrong now?"

"You are so frustrating."

"Why?"

"Because..." Her breath caught in her throat when her eyes looked up into his serious ones. His warm hand snuck around her neck, pulling her closer yet. His lips caressed hers once, then stopped. Then again. She grasped onto his t-shirt to stop her hands from shaking. It only took a slight maneuvering on his part and she was sitting right up against him. He leaned back slightly and simply looked at her. His smile was breathtaking, it seemed to caress her. Her eyes fluttered shut.

"Open your eyes."

She did.

He leaned in.

Her eyes fluttered shut.

"No. Keep them open. Look at me."

Slowly she raised her eyelids. Their eyes met. His gaze was so intense that it seemed to physically hold her eyes open. She couldn't close them even if she wanted to.

His lips lightly caressed hers, then lifted.

Her breath came faster, and in that one second that was all she ever wanted...him, closer. She didn't know what she begged for, she just begged.

Her fingers tightened their grip, pulling him closer. " _Drake._ " Her voice deeply pleading.

His eyes brightened, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and then all she saw was his eyes. But wow, did she feel. His hand aggressively, but so very carefully held her neck, keeping her anchored close. She felt so secure, so wonderful. She never wanted it to stop. Never had she felt this...cherished.

In the distant background, Raven became gradually aware of an alarm pealing.

Drake groaned and grudgingly ended the kiss. Why had he even set the alarm?

Raven didn't move, so stunned by his kiss, she let her eyes drift shut.

"Sweetheart, I have to go. We have to go." His finger lightly traced her neckline.

Her eyes shot open. His words dawning on her like a full bucket of ice. "Yes. Oh, uh, my shoe." How could she have been so stupid? She had sat there letting him kiss her, she had remained there even wanting him to continue. How stupid, stupid, stupid! Jerking around, she was frantically searching for her shoe when he strongly grabbed her.

"Hey. It's alright. Stop. I'm not late yet, and you aren't either. We just have to end our date that's all." His lips briefly touched hers, "Until later."

She pushed out of his arms and stood. "I'm okay. I'm just searching for my shoe. I need my shoe."

Playfully, he leaned towards her, "If I make sure you get it back, will you promise not to use it as a weapon again?"

"No, I won't." She walked over to the door that they had entered through and pushed on it, but it wouldn't open. She frantically put her hand all around the outside of it, but still nothing.

"Hey." Her breath caught, her hand froze against the door jamb as he stood directly behind her. Her neck tingled when his head tilted and his lips grazed her neck.

Visibly flinching, Raven moved her head away, but his right hand grabbed her neck back and tilted her head, at the same time his left hand wrapped around her, endearingly trapping her arms. His lips teased her neck and moved to her ear, "Don't."

Swallowing, Raven sniffed, "Don't what? Search for my shoe? Sorry, but I need it. I mean I can't walk to work with this gel pack on my foot, I have to..."

" _Don't_. Meaning, don't leave like this. I want to properly say goodbye to you, so that I will be able to handle being away from you until I can be with you again." Drake also wanted her to be so vitally aware of him, that she would not be able to forget him either.

He knew the Lord had specifically blessed them, and was encouraging this relationship. A picture of her in a blue sundress that made her eyes look even bluer, with her long, sun kissed blonde hair flowing, and a beautiful happy smile lighting up her face danced across his mind. Her hands were up as she was trying to playfully shield herself from the picture. He could just imagine what her laugh had sounded like on that day. His mouth embraced her soft neck. He had waited so long to finally have her in his arms, and he praised and thanked the Lord for putting her there. He would cherish his precious gift.

She took a deep breath. What had she done, what had she allowed herself to get into? How had she let him kiss her? How was she letting him continue? And why was she leaning in towards him with her hand reaching over, grasping his neck?

His phone rang again, and Drake rumbled deep in his throat, "Next time, my phone is not coming. But I do have to go. I'm leaving for the Pentagon in an hour and I have to change."

Another cold bucket of ice. She stiffened. "Yes, of course."

" _Raven._ " His voice warned her to not emotionally pull away from him, again.

"What? You're right, I have to get back to work, too. Well, I mean, I have to _start_ work, today."

He was out of time, and he couldn't push her anymore today. He thanked the Lord again for his gift that was finally in his arms, as he tightened them around her. He quickly ignored the doubt that tried to surface because he refused to question his confidence in the Lord. It would work out, and they would work out. Raising his hand, Drake smiled, "Oh, look over there."

Raven turned to look in the direction he pointed, but saw only the fireplace. "What?"

The sound of the door sliding open had her turning back.

"Oh, nothing. Let's go."

"Wait!" She turned to confront him. "How did you open the door?"

He lifted his eyebrow, and just smiled. He grabbed her hand, "Oh, look here comes your shoe that you were so concerned about."

"That's it, keep dodging the question! You don't fool me." Taking her hand back, Raven walked over to the couch and proceeded to take off her gel pack. She refused to look around the room anymore then she had to, making sure she did all she could do to just concentrate on putting on her boot. However, she couldn't help but be aware of Zeak and _him_ in another heated conversation.

"Okay then. Do it, Zeak. Just make sure that you are there ready for it and you notify me immediately. _Please._ " Running his fingers through his hair, Drake walked over to Raven who was very quickly walking to the door. "Hey. Where do you think you are going without saying goodbye to me, _again?_ "

She stopped dead in her tracks. Please not in front of these men, _please_. She turned and pasted a smile to her face, "Goodbye, Mr. President. I sincerely hope you have a wonderful day today. And week, for that matter. Actually, for your complete term, and four more years should you win again. _Goodbye._ "

His hand snuck out and grabbed hers, turning her so forcefully around she lost her balance and slammed against his chest. She opened her mouth to yell, but her words were instantly swallowed up by him. All ten of his fingers forced their way up her scalp, weaving themselves in her hair, gripping tightly. Her body turned to jelly under the passionate, fierceness of his. Seconds turned to minutes until she found herself gasping for breath against his throat, her nose greedily filling itself with his cologne, her head resting against his face. His chest violently rose and fell, as if he too was having difficulty recovering.

"Don't." Trying to catch his breath, Drake held her tightly. Finally realizing that they did have an audience, his lips went directly to her ear so that only she could hear what he would say. "Don't you ever, ever, do that again. Or call me that, again. Do you hear me?" His fingers desperately tightened their grip against her head, at the same time he forced himself to quiet down his strength so as not to hurt her. "Eh?" He lightly shook her.

She nodded.

"I'm Drake. Or any other type of endearment you choose to call me, I will gladly hear it." His fingers' grip turned into a caress. "Understood?"

She nodded while her fingers unconsciously held tightly to his shirt.

He chuckled. "Now say it."

She shook her head no.

"Say it."

She shook her head no, again.

"Okay then I will take advantage of this delightful, wonderful, amazing situation and have that picture taken that I so very much want.

"Say what?" Her voice rushed out.

He laughed. "My name."

"Mr..." He fiercely moaned, and she hesitantly smiled, "Drake."

His hands dropped and he leaned back, tipping up her chin. His eyes embraced hers. "Again, please, but louder."

Her eyes dropped, "Drake."

"Perfect. Well, I prefer 'my Drake,' but we'll get to that later." He briefly kissed her. "I've got to go, okay? Now, I hope you have a wonderful day and after I change into my suit, I will stop by my children's rooms and make sure they know to behave and not to give you and the other agents in their detail any trouble." His finger tapped her on the nose.

She panicked. "No, don't. Please, don't get involved with my work. _Please_. Just leave it alone. You can't get involved in my job. _Please._ "

His expression softened, as he rubbed her cheek, "I won't." He shrugged, "I always tell them to behave for their detail."

"Oh, okay."

"Don't worry about it. It will all work out, just have faith." Leaning down, Drake kissed her so softly. "I'll talk to you later, sweetheart."

And he was gone.

Agent Zeak came over, "Okay, step into..."

"I know what to do. Let's just go." Raven bent down to pick up her hairclip and remade her French Twist. Then she quietly moved to stand right in the middle of the group, and solemnly followed the detail.

# Chapter 6

"Agent Somers, can you come in here for a moment, please?"

Stretching as she stood, Raven walked into her boss's office. "Yes, sir."

"Oh, I wanted to thank you for bringing the TS file I needed from below. Agent Smith said that he would just send it up with you after your meeting this morning."

_Rick._ He sure did have it all planned out, and no one had missed her.

"No problem, sir."

"Well, Agent Somers, I think it is time for you to meet your little protectees. I'm sending you over with Agent Miller and he will show you exactly how to report through the house, and more importantly which correct corridors to use. One could really get lost in here. And when we move through we try to avoid the hallways that the press, dignitaries, law makers, pretty much all of the government officials, including the ones President Hawk uses. We try to be seen as little as possible so as not to disrupt their daily routines."

"Sure, that sounds fine." Her heart thundered a little too noticeably at just hearing his name, however part of the burden that she had been feeling since this morning gratefully lifted. _Thank you, Jesus._ "I'll go strap up, sir." She was finally getting her routine.

Many new areas seen, and trying to catalog them all in her mind, Raven smiled.

"Tired of protecting the desk?" Eric laughed.

"Yes. Thank you for showing me the ropes."

"No problem. Ready to meet them? They are just coming in from school, we'll meet them in the back at the drop off point. As you know, unlike the other protectees we think it is best to always introduce them to the new agents, that way they know, or at least can recognize each of us."

"Sounds great." Her gun suddenly seemed to be weighing her down, and she glared, trying to position it better on her waist. She never could seem to adjust it back to how it used to feel. It was a sharp, uncomfortable reminder for her to try even harder to move back into a field office. But for some reason, she just couldn't seem to convince her bosses.

A vehicle pulled up, and immediately black curly-q curls bouncing in time to a little girl skipping up and down melted Raven's heart. _Hair the exact color of her dad's._ Raven coughed, trying to regain her composure. She looked over in time to watch the little boy angrily getting out of the vehicle and stomping over to have a word or two with his driver. Standing with his hands on his hips, he was in no way intimidated by an armed agent who had spent weeks just learning how to drive properly. Raven contemplated, either this little boy was similar to some of the other past presidents on being super picky over their agent's driving, or he just likes to argue. Raven shook her head when the latter proved true as she watched him swiftly walk away from the driver, and start another argument with another agent innocently standing by. The smile on the driver's face said it all, though. They did enjoy this little guy. Her breath caught, as he turned towards her, he looked so much like his dad. There really was no mistaking who these children belonged to.

A tugging on her suit jacket had her defensively stepping back, and looking down into wide chocolate brown eyes.

"Hey. _It's you!_ Jake...," Madeline ran over to her brother, grabbing him by his shirt and proceeded to energetically tell him something, all the while pointing back to Raven.

Raven blankly stared after them.

Eric laughed, "She must think you're a model or something. You must have a familiar face to her. That's funny. I mean you could have been, but..."

Raven hit him in the arm, "I know what you mean, Eric."

"Hey, are you a United States Secret Service Special Agent?" Jake, Drake's son, seemed to try and stand a little taller than he actually was. And again his hands were firmly on his hips while his little sister hid behind her hand whispering a mile a minute.

She bit her lip to keep from laughing, "Yes, I am."

"It's her, I tell you. _It's her!_ Wait until I tell Grandma, we finally found her!"

Jake still didn't seem quite convinced of what his sister was telling him. He walked straight up to Raven and motioned for her to bend down.

Instinctively using her right arm to protect her weapon, Raven bent over and he stepped closer looking her squarely in the face.

"Now, smile." His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.

"I told you, so!" Madeline stepped up next to her and grabbed her hand until Raven had to bend over again. "Hi. My name is Madeline, I am six years old and I _like_ you! I was hoping I would see you someday. You are so tall and pretty. But your eyes," her little index finger very lightly traced over them, and her voice suddenly sounded serious, "they are so sad. They aren't happy anymore. Why?"

Raven straightened up as her heart dropped, and her jaw clenched. He had promised not to get involved. However, why would they want to tell their grandmother they had _finally_ seen her? She had only known their dad for a few days. Shaking off the uncertainties, Raven forced a smile. It must be what Eric said, she just looked like someone they had seen before, that was all.

Eric thankfully jumped in. "Jake, Madeline, this is Special Agent Raven Somers she is now assigned to your detail."

"Hi." Bending down, Raven instinctively tried to make each one of them feel comfortable. She always did have a special soft spot for kids. She shook hands with each one, "It is very nice to meet you, Mr. Jake. And you, too, Miss Madeline. Did you both have a good day at school?"

Madeline leaned over and placed her arm on Raven's shoulder. "It was okay. But I'm too tired to talk about first grade. Now, let's talk about you." She leaned her head on Raven's shoulder, "Why are your eyes so sad now?"

Raven was so shocked, how could this little sprite of a girl be able to see that? Raven adjusted Madeline and quickly stood up. "So how was your day, Jake? You are probably in what? Fourth grade? Did you have any tests today?"

"She won't tell us Maddie. She changes the subject quickly, just like Dad does when he doesn't want to answer one of your questions." Jake stood there with his arms crossed, continuing to stare into her eyes. His face started to look a little sad.

Thankfully Eric was over talking with a few of the other detail members because she was really bombing this first meeting.

Madeline softly rubbed Raven's arm, "That's alright, Raven. My Daddy can help you feel better, he'll make your eyes smile again. I'm so glad you're finally here."

The very same thing that she had always boldly claimed about her dad. Raven suddenly felt dizzy. "Nice to meet you both, I've got to go. You two have a great night, okay?" Raven started walking over to Eric.

"Okay, bye-bye, Raven!" Madeline's smiling voice followed in her wake as her brother and she ran into the house ready to eat their favorite snacks, and to call Grandma.

Sweat beaded on her brow, and Raven angrily swiped at it. She rested her head against the back of her seat, and began taking deep breaths in order to get it under control. Her ankle ached from that sprint down the big hill. And it most certainly didn't help when she had turned it a little while jumping off the curb to run down the small hill just to the side of the parking garage. She hadn't even paid for her parking pass yet, frustration seeped out of every pore of her being. Ever since Madeline's comment about her dad, Raven had a strong desire to visit her own father's grave.

Raven banged her hand against her steering wheel, she had specifically called to make sure there wasn't a funeral planned. She needed to see her father's grave, she needed to be near him. Her heart ached. She needed _her dad!_ He was always that voice of wisdom and encouragement whenever she had faced uncertainties. He always knew exactly what to say to help her through bad times. Tears rolled down her cheeks. He had always told her the truth, God's Truth, not what she wanted to hear, but what God wanted her to hear. And every time she thanked him, he would always say, _'Don't thank me Ravie, thank the Holy Spirit. It is He who guides my words and knows you better than I could ever know you. You know, Jesus loves you more than I ever could. Cling to Him, Ravie, He'll talk to you and tell you. He wants you to be able to hear Him for yourself.'_

_If that is true, then why can't I hear you, Jesus?_ Covering her face, Raven leaned against her steering wheel. If only she could talk to her dad just one more time. She had desperately needed to speak with him after the accident. She had tried countless times from the hospital and then from home, but she had never been able to get through because the bombings in Syria had knocked out all communications where he was stationed. The service's psychologists had checked in on her after her accident, but she had told them her father would help her through it. However, two weeks later the black unmarked government car had shown up in her driveway, and her world had went into a downward spiral fast. She had no one to talk to, and no one to help her out.

Wiping her tears, Raven looked out her car windshield. Her life would have been so different had she heard his voice over the phone instead of seeing that black car.

Her phone started ringing taking her away from her reverie. Looking down, she picked it up and read her text. Immediately responding with a no, Raven stopped. Maybe that was what she needed, a bunch of agents out for the night, enjoying themselves. _'Sure, see ya soon.'_ She quickly pressed send before she thought too much about it. Frowning, Raven put in her small spongy earplugs and got out of her car to walk over to the paying machine. Pushing the button to start, she slid her parking ticket into the required slot and then took out her credit card. She rushed back to her car, and was able to make it just in time before the infamous beginning of Arlington Cemetery's twenty-one gun salute started.

She pulled out of the parking garage and headed home, not quite sure if she really wanted to meet Eric and his friends at the restaurant.

A little over an hour later, Raven pulled into a parking spot, and turned off her truck. She sat there a moment, taking another deep breath. She never really did feel comfortable hanging out in crowds, she didn't know why but she always got a little intimidated, especially when she didn't know all of them. But it was good for her to do this, especially since they were her new coworkers, along with some of the other agents from the local field office. Raven climbed out and walked into the quaint restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia still so unsure.

She never should have come. Pushing her plate away, Raven tried to smile and join in the conversations, but she really just wanted to go back home.

"Are you sure you don't want a drink, Raven?"

"No, thank you. Um...I don't drink."

"How come?" A handsome, chestnut colored haired field agent smiled. Why couldn't she fall for someone like him? But there again there was no sparks, and nothing there between them.

Raven looked over at him, and shook her head, shrugging. Should she really say why? A chuckle rumbled in her throat just picturing his face if she popped out with, _'Well, it's like this. I'm always waiting for the Lord to come, and not knowing when that will happen, I sure wouldn't want to be drunk when it did happen. That would be like being found with no clothes on in front of a group of people.'_ Her dad, _again_.

Blinking back sudden tears, Raven took another drink of her iced tea.

"Hey, it really doesn't matter, I'm cool with you not drinking. And so, Raven, what do you like to do for fun?" He smiled, and leaned into her.

Oh, what was his name?

"Hey, Dave I need to hear this one, since I'm taking her out first." Eric smiled and also leaned in jokingly.

"She likes to spend all of her time with her man. Hi sweetie, how are you doing, eh? Wow, you are looking beautiful as always. Your light blonde hair softly flowing down your back, your blue colorful blouse matching your eyes, and those jeans _your man_ loves. Not to mention your infamous cowboy boots that always seem to match _his_."

_Zeak!!?_ Hands shaking, Raven blushed and quickly picked up her drink, pretending there was something really important inside of it.

He leaned in towards Dave. "And let me tell you, you would not want to mess with _her_ man. Would he, Lawrence?"

Raven choked. _Lawrence?_ Quickly she looked around and four of the CAT guys from earlier were descending upon their group. Another one was coming around the table to stand directly behind Dave, right next to where Lawrence stood. He leaned over on the table, giving him all of his intimidating attention. In no time their whole table was tactfully surrounded by them. And each of their attentions were directly focused on Eric, Dave and her.

Lawrence sharply patted her on the back trying to help her recover. "Oh man, no he would not. It may be hard to believe, but _her_ man took four of us on single handedly, and won! He's like _batman_!"

Raven started choking more.

Undeterred, Dave shrugged, "Yeah right. Is he another CAT guy? Or another federal agent?"

"Well he is one of us, but he's known as our Comman..." Lawrence chuckled as Raven's choking became louder.

Techy calmly bent down and coached her on relaxing and taking deep breaths. "Sorry, she just keeps choking on these iced teas. _He_ is always trying to tell her to say no." Smiling, he turned to Dave and Eric.

Raven's throat hurt, the iced tea had truly gone down the wrong pipe that last time. Shoving her drink away, she just sat there trying to breathe.

"He's not your SAIC is he?" Dave visibly shuddered.

"Oh, no, no, no...SAIC is cattin' someone else. He is just one of our super um..." Techy leaned in, his eyes quickly darting to and from, "if we explained his position to you, we would have to kill you." He shrugged, "You know, homeland security and all that."

Zeak leaned over and continued, "But, may I speak for um _batman_ , and thank all of you for keeping his sweetheart company. Goodnight, now, we must really go." He dropped a few big bills on the table and smiled. "That should be more than enough to cover her tab, he always does like to provide for _his girl._ "

Raven was smoothly helped out of her seat and found herself being in the center of another detail march.

Lawrence was, again, behind her. "Oh, and keep the change guys. _Bye-Bye!_ "

Her elbow went square into his gut. She had a marginal enjoyment of hearing the air whoosh out of him.

"Hey, what was that for, Raven?"

She shot him a glare. The moment they stepped out of the restaurant, Raven filled her lungs with the fresh night air.

"Raven, you had better get ready to turn on the charm because I have never seen him this mad. Believe me, it's not a sight I would like to see again. And I am not exaggerating. It took all of us to keep him from marching right into that restaurant. In fact, he is actually locked inside the vehicle right now." Zeak puffed out a breath.

Raven's heart dropped, she paled. Her feet immediately stopped and Lawrence bumped into her.

"We passed my truck. I'm going home."

"Oh no you're not. Rawlings is driving that home for you. The only way that will keep Drake from going into there and attacking those two agents flirting with you, is for him to see you. So get to stepping." Zeak frowned at her.

"No."

"Suit yourself."

Raven was so stunned by what happened next that she didn't gather her wits about her until it was too late. She landed in a heap in one of the backseats of their black SUV. Trying to straighten herself, Raven put her legs down just as she heard a very low, husky, commanding voice, right in front of her, "Get me to the gym, _now._ "

Her blood irritatingly raced, her eyes shot to the direction she heard his voice. In the reflection from the passing streetlights, Raven saw _him_. He was so very different from earlier. His eyes stared straight ahead, his lips were tightened into a straight line, his jaw locked and twitching, and his nostrils flared. Raven held her breath, the silence in the vehicle was so pronounced.

Thirty minutes later, the vehicle stopped. Zeak leaned into her from behind, " _Everyone_ out."

Raven rolled her eyes. Like she would really choose to stay in this vehicle with _him_ like that.

Stepping out of the SUV, Raven was shocked to see that they weren't at the training complex. There were no street lights, but from the faint glow of light from the open vehicle, she could see an abandoned brick building in the middle of the woods. "Where are we?"

Her hand was suddenly grabbed by Drake's warm, strong, hand of steel, and she was jerked forward towards the building.

Zeak sighed, "Nowhere you need to know."

"Classified, eh?"

Drake allowed no resistance from her, and she had to jog a little to keep up with his long strides. She should have fought for her hand, and she should have ordered them to take her home, but why bother? There was no way they would do that, and she sure did not want to push _him_ anymore tonight _._ He stopped right up against the building and Raven plowed right into him. Her free hand grabbed his upper arm for support and she bit back her gasp. Every muscle was bunched tight and ready to strike. The realization of her situation hit her like a ton of bricks. Oh boy, what had she done that was so wrong? She had just met some coworkers for dinner. She couldn't help it if a few of them were jokingly flirting with her. She never took it seriously, so why would _he_? He pulled her into the building and as soon as the loud, heavy metal door clanged shut, lights immediately blazed on. She briefly shielded her eyes from the brightness of the room. And what a room it was, it was a tactical trainer guru's dream place. It had a really high utility style ceiling and black mats everywhere. There was even a mock rooftop in the far section of the gym. Her moment of awe was instantly robbed when her hand was quickly dropped and without warning Drake lunged towards Zeak.

" _You dared to lock me in that car!_ "

Her mouth dropped open as she shockingly watched him overpower Zeak in an instant. Zeak fought back, but he proved to be no match for him. Had she not been the problem here, she might have laughed at the irony of the situation. A rustling sounded behind her and in the blink of an eye, three more CAT guys were involved in the fight. Her hand covered her mouth, as a wave of nausea hit her. This was just way too much. Raven couldn't watch, they sounded like a bunch of big jungle cat males going at it. She turned and made a beeline for the door. Lawrence and Techy blocked her way.

"Not so fast, missy." Lawrence held her back.

Her stomach rebelled, "I have to go, I don't feel so well." Her face paled as someone's grunt exploded in the air.

"Well, if you don't like it, then stop it."

"What? How?"

"Well, for starters take this shirt and change." A soft gray t-shirt was pushed into her arms. "Then throw the blue top you have on in the trashcan so he won't be able to see it again."

"Why?"

"Stop asking questions and just do it because the four men being attacked by him have to report to work tomorrow and I really don't think that you want them calling SAIC about why they can't report. And they don't lie so he will know exactly what happened here. Now, go right over there to the first door. It's a bathroom and you can change in there. Remember, make sure you throw the one you have on in the trash." Lawrence pointed to the door, daring her to disobey him.

Holding onto the shirt a little too tightly, Raven walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

"Do you think it will work?"

"Most definitely. Did you see that every time Drake got a little weary from an attack, he would glance back at her, see her top and explode like a madman? He takes one look at that shirt and probably only sees the man who dared to lean in and talk to _his woman_. Beautiful top and looks delicious on her, but not anymore. Plus, wait until you see the t-shirt she is putting on." Lawrence chuckled.

Raven quickly took off her top and slipped on the t-shirt only looking at it so far as to tell where the inside tag was. Throwing one of her favorite tops away really didn't upset her, she just wanted out of here quickly. Refusing to look at her reflection in the mirror, Raven opened the door and stepped out. There were men falling everywhere. Her eyes quickly searched for him. Her breath caught, he was hard to miss. His shirt had been ripped, and he weaved slightly, but his face still held that look of steel etched across it.

"I don't think she looked in the mirror." Techy chuckled, "If she had, there is no way she would have stepped out wearing that."

"I know, isn't it great? _That_ should doer!" Giving her a stern expression, Lawrence stiffened his arm and pointed directly to where Drake was in the middle of the fracas.

She briefly nodded, and started walking.

"She looks like a lamb going to the slaughter."

"Yep. Can't wait to see this unfold. _Oh, boy._ " Lawrence smiled.

She was almost there. Briefly closing her eyes, she prayed for confidence. What was she supposed to say? How was she supposed to stop this madness?

One of the bigger agents whom she didn't know by name stepped shy of hitting her. He violently turned to her, then his mouth dropped open and he just stood there staring at her. Raven snorted, hadn't he ever seen a woman walk into the middle of one of their crazy brawls? Probably not. Drake's back was to her, his black hair soaking wet from his physical exertion. Small curls started forming at his nape. She swallowed, and briefly wondered why three of the men had already stopped fighting and were just strangely staring at her. That thought, however left, when Drake seemed to sway on his feet. She pushed up her hand laying it against his hot, sweaty back to keep him from falling on her. He stopped, and she heard him take a shallow breath. Without thinking, her hands moved under his arms, and around his waist towards his front. Raven gasped when her hands met drenched skin, his muscles bunching under her palms and fingers. Her nose rested against his soaking shirt.

"Please stop. _Please._ " Raven pleaded with him, while her hands unconsciously caressed his abdomen.

Drake panted for breath, and dangerously wobbled. Immediately Zeak stepped up steadying him.

"Come on, man, turn to her."

The rumble started low in his throat and grew in strength. Drake violently shook his head no. If it wasn't for Zeak, Raven knew he would have collapsed. She paled as a wave of nausea threatened her again, and although she was so concerned for him, her hands shook as she let him go and stepped back. Her heart sank to the floor, he didn't want anything to do with her. She just brokenly stared at the back of his head, and was suddenly more lost now than ever before.

Zeak saw her expression and gritted his teeth, he would not let him lose her now, "She is nothing like _her_. Turn to Raven, trust me."

Drake shook his head again, "I know. But I'm ashamed." His words were so low, only Zeak could hear him.

"No, man. It will be fine, turn to her now, you'll see."

"I c-can't." He wobbled again.

Zeak chuckled, "Oh yes you can." Grabbing him by the shoulders, Zeak unceremoniously turned Drake around to face Raven.

Raven frowned, his head hung down and his arms rose to try and steady himself. Blood trickled down the front of his chest, and sweat flowed down his gorgeous face, gathering on what was left of his black shirt. Gone was the stern expression and in its place was an exhausted man. Her heart unexpectedly skipped a beat, a unique boldness grew in her and she stepped back up to him and put her finger under his chin lifting his face so she could see his eyes.

His eyes lifted, but stopped at her midsection. A deep, slow, possessive smile crossed his face.

Quickly she looked down to her t-shirt to see what he was staring at and was flabbergasted. It had _Property of the President of the United States_ emblazoned across the top above the official Presidential seal. " _Lawrence!_ " She turned to chase him down, but amazingly Drake found enough strength to jerk her back to him. Anchoring his hands in her hair, he proceeded to engrave himself upon her senses, again. It was a passionate onslaught that put the one earlier to shame. She only briefly was aware of wobbling, and Zeak telling him to steady himself or he would hurt her. But after that, she found herself totally enraptured in _Drake_.

# Chapter 7

Smiling, Raven sat at her desk glancing out of the window at the beautiful sunny day. An image of Drake lying on the seat with his head on her lap sleeping was engraved in her mind. The drive home last night had been so precious. He had even sweetly kissed her goodnight after walking her to her door, and making her promise not to change her new t-shirt.

"Agent Somers."

Jerking, Raven stood and looked to her boss's office, "Y-yes, sir?" Thankfully, her boss always talked before he actually walked out of his office. He always did seem to know exactly who was in the office and where they were.

"I was going to send you down with the pickup team, but I saw that you have been gone from the service for just under a year. That plus the time since you last qualified for shooting makes it way over a year now. So your firearms qualifying is out of date and we will have to rectify that before allowing you to go into protection."

Raven's hands shook, a strange paleness crossed her features. Quickly, she sat down trying hard to compose herself.

"Go ahead and head over to the shooting range at the training complex. I'll call Agent Pierce to let him know you're on your way. When you're done, just work out in the weight room, or swim, and then consider that your day. You have really helped me out with the mountain of paperwork on my desk this morning. You know, agents that actually enjoy doing paperwork is hard to find. I'm really thankful for your help. Have a nice weekend."

Schooling her voice to not shake, Raven forced a smile, "You too, sir. You're welcome."

Walking to her car, Raven found herself fidgeting even more with her gun. It seemed so weighty, and it pressed even harder against her side. Wiping her forehead, Raven looked at her watch, and let out a breath of relief. She had heard that last week the training class had their shotgun training, and so their personal handheld firearms training would have been this morning before the lectures. If she was the only one in the shooting booths then she should be fine. She turned her radio transmitter down, and attempted to prepare herself for what was ahead. She had been one of the top shooters in her class, and then that had carried on into the field. So this really was no big deal. Raven forced her mind to only focus on how she had felt during training. Smiling, Raven took a deep breath as she made a right turn at the stop sign. Her go-getter attitude was out and she was ready. Flashing her ID to the gate guard, Raven was even able to carry on a small conversation with him.

Instead of driving down to the range Raven turned into the main parking lot. On such a gorgeous day she would walk, just as they had always done in training. Raven took off her jacket, grabbed her small black weapons bag and headed off for the walk. If she could pass this, then maybe she would be okay for the protection detail and wouldn't have to go to a field office.

Rounding the corner through the mock town, a soft smile lightened her features when she remembered how Drake had tenderly wiped the tears from her face, and had carried her away that night. She had been so lost then. And it was so hard to believe that it was only a few days ago when that had happened. Today was a good day. _Thank you, Lord for another beautiful day._

Shock slammed through her, stopping her from walking. Tenderly, she looked to the sky smiling wide. _Thank you, Lord I am finding my way, and I will find you again._ A familiar peace came over her, her heart leapt for joy, and she was sure that she would have skipped the rest of the way if her ankle had not been so sore.

"Okay, Agent Somers. Of course, you know the drill. Here's your protective gear, clips, and bullets. Go ahead down to the last stall and do your shootin' thing."

Smiling, Raven headed to her stall. An uneasiness tried to rear up, but she quickly squashed it. This was business, it was routine. Nothing more, nothing less. Immediately she placed her protective gear on and set her box of bullets down.

Raven followed the simple procedures routine. Dropping her clip, she then clicked her bullet out. Look, look away, look, look away, look, look away...three times, still empty. Opening up the box of bullets, Raven looked straight ahead to where the targets were hung, and blindly loaded her clips. So caught up in her routine, Raven started actually hearing a trainer explaining the blind loading technique. Three extra clips done and she was ready for the 100 yard shooting all the way down to the 10 yard.

The first clip was great. She smiled as her last bullet in the gun hit the perfect place on the target. The silhouette moved forward. Not taking her eyes off the target, Raven quickly dropped and loaded a new clip. Bulls eye, over and over again. The silhouette moved forward. Same thing. Raven was so focused on what she was doing that she didn't hear the class stepping up into their stalls. The silhouette moved forward. Shoot, drop and load. The silhouette moved forward on the last round. Gun shots sounded from her left.

The dark form on the silhouette loomed before her. Her palms began sweating. Suddenly frozen in fear, Raven couldn't speak. More gun shots rang out, this time she would shoot. _This time she would!_ Sweat beaded her brow, the night air became thick with tension. Her hands tightened their grip on her weapon. Sweat poured down her shirt as the scene from that night played out in her mind. Her partner's angry command struck her hard, _'Get to cover, get to cover!'_ Instantly she obeyed and at the same time another gun shot rang out. Pain seared through her ankle and up her leg as she crumbled down to the ground, her arm burning. Her gun slipped from her grip, and Raven balled up into the fetal position. Still more gunshots rang out. Her ears grabbed her protective gear, and she moaned.

"Raven. Raven, sweetheart. Shhhh, its Zeak. It's alright, you're safe." His hand rubbed her back.

So caught up in her pain, Raven began rocking.

Zeak turned back to Lawrence, "Get the others quick, then come back in here and get the keys so we can sneak her out the back. He turned back to Raven, who was hiding under her shooting stall table. She was all balled up and rocking, her hands holding her protective gear against her ears in a death grip. Drake would be furious when he found out. He would readily assume that Zeak had went behind his back and had made that call without preparing ahead of time. He looked to her target and was amazed by all of the bullets that she had managed to shoot. All of them where direct hits, there was not even one that swayed. She was not frightened of her gun, but the sound of others. Getting down on all fours, he leaned in closer to her so no one else could hear him, "Raven, its Zeak. You're at the shooting range. Honey, you're alright. Look at me."

She rocked harder, her mind so lost in pain, and fright.

"All ready, Zeak. The distraction has started. Get her out of here."

Zeak quickly picked her up and ran to the back door, completely covering her body with his. The door swung open and he ran towards their SUV. Techy took her from him, and jumping in, Zeak yelled, "Get to the gym."

Techy was carefully wrapping her up into a soft blanket, all the while whispering to her. Turning to Zeak, he frowned, "Drake's been notified. SAIC said that he would take care of getting him out there quickly. Don't worry, I made sure to inform him that you did not go behind Drake's orders and make the call without preparing. He was going to relay the info to Drake."

Zeak nodded. He looked to Raven's pitifully pale, shaking figure. "I think she just relived that night."

"Yeah." Techy's hand lightly rubbed her back. "But, maybe that's what she needed in order to be able to truly start healing from it."

"Maybe." Zeak fixed her blanket some more. He rubbed his head, he really wished there could be the perfect manual to read, or study for these types of situations. But no one really knew how they would handle them when they came. His hand lifted her ponytail, and he rubbed under her neck. "You're okay, Raven. Drake is coming."

Her shaking intensified. Raven held onto her headset even tighter, so afraid that if she would lessen her grip then she would hear more shots being fired, and be hurt by them.

Clearing the trees, Zeak watched Drake running towards them. Drake's concern deepened as he saw her.

"Sweetheart." He tucked her head into his chest as he lifted her. He ran into the gym, and carried her over to the couch that they had just pulled out from the office. Sitting down, he carefully unwrapped his beautiful package. "Sweetheart. Raven. I'm here." She was so very pale, and her eyes were squeezed shut. Carefully, he touched his lips to hers, "Raven, my sweetheart. Come back to me."

Raven flinched. Her eyes opened and she instinctively grasped his neck, hiding her face in his chest. Her headset fell off and all she could hear was his soothing voice. " _Drake_. I was so scared."

"Yes, baby. I know, but I'm here now, it's all over." His hand spanned her head, he did all he could to make her feel safe, and secure.

Her voice, slightly muffled by his shirt, called out to him, "I tried to shoot that night. I did. But I couldn't get a clear shot. I saw a figure, but I still couldn't make sure it wasn't one of us. So I didn't take it, instead I froze. All of that training, all of that shooting, and I couldn't do anything. I just froze, waiting. I'm such a coward."

"No you are not a coward. You did exactly what you were supposed to do." Drake lifted her head as he said that, to make sure she listened to him.

"Raven? Drake's right. I have read that report and I also talked to a few people about it. You did exactly what you were supposed to do that night, stay down and stay quiet. By doing that you allowed your partner, who was in a better position to observe the situation, to determine what was to be done. The report further indicated that had you both not silently communicated in this way, and had you not instantly obeyed him by taking cover, then you would have most likely been shot in the head. I know you're a great shooter, but I am thankful that you did not behave as some of us might have, by being too sure of ourselves. There are many law enforcement people out there that rely only on their own ability, and don't trust those with them. You reacted perfectly by not reacting."

Zeak reached out and touched her arm, "The final report also stated that when you fell had your ankle not snapped throwing you into the opposite direction, then the shot would have still hit you near the neck. In a place that your bullet proof vest doesn't cover, and so it grazed your other arm instead. You never did read that full report did you?"

Raven looked to Zeak and shook her head. "Dad was supposed to come home and help me deal with it." Tears streamed down her face. "But then that black car showed up in my driveway." She turned, tucking her face back into Drake's shirt. "Trying to deal with Dad's death was more precedent than what I had gone through. I couldn't handle them both."

"Raven, because you never answered his calls, my buddy was really concerned that you were wallowing in wrongful guilt. He had heard from a friend of his, who happens to be one of the members of the 21-gun salute detail at Arlington that you had specifically asked them to wait on the salute until after you had left. He was really worried about you, but he said that he did not want to cause you any undo pain with having to deal with the death of your father as well as heal from this incident. It was unfortunate this happened, but you have to believe that you did all you could do."

Lifting her head, Raven smiled at Zeak, "Thank you very much for sharing that with me." As she went to stand, Drake stopped her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I need to go to the bathroom."

"Okay, but get right back here." He kissed her hand before he helped her shed the blanket.

Raven shut the bathroom door, and leaned against it. What was she doing clinging to Drake? They were in two completely different worlds, what could even become of a relationship with him? Even if he was serious on the point of a long-term relationship leading to marriage, there was no way she was even First Lady material. So much grace, and poise...she definitely did not see herself as that. And she was definitely not someone even up on the latest fashion trends. They would probably be continuously making a mockery of her because of being seen for the second or third time in the same dress, or not having enough style. Not to mention the scandal that would weigh heavily on the service, and she did not want to be the cause of that. It didn't matter that it was just two people enjoying each other, getting to know each other, they would still twist it for their own purposes, or try to figure it out. And that would bring more major problems. It still struck her as amazing how the press could turn something that could be so beautiful into something so horrifying, and vice versa. Well, it wouldn't happen because she was not going to let that happen.

Rubbing her eyes, she slid to the floor. Trying to ignore the sudden pain in her chest, Raven looked to the ceiling in disbelief. Regretfully, all this time she had been plagued by a false guilt. Why hadn't she listened to her father's words that kept coming to her mind over the last months?

' _Guilt is not from God. He may use it at some point to bring a believer to repentance, but once repented of that deed, then that's it. Self-discipline is what you need, control your thoughts. Ask for forgiveness and then move forward in Jesus, baby girl. Ravie, He forgives you immediately, believe it. Any more thoughts of guilt afterwards, well, that is from the evil one; who tries to build strongholds in your mind and in your life. And Jesus is so much greater than that, He has wiped out all strongholds because He loves you. Do not give into it, baby girl!'_ And all along, over these last ten months, that is exactly what it had been, false guilt; and another stronghold being built in her mind. There had been no basis for it. If only she had believed.

And how many more times had she prayed for forgiveness, and waited, and waited for the feeling to just go away? Then she had prayed for the same thing over and over again when it had not come, with more waiting. During which she had even remembered her father's distinctive words regarding mindful torture, _'Remember God is greater than feelings and emotions, do not rely on the confirmation of them to appear. Come on, baby girl, self-discipline is what you need. You have to discipline yourself to believe and only think on God's Holy Word over each situation in your life. Jesus forgives you, you know that because you are a believer in Christ, and you have been saved. You ask for forgiveness, and He immediately forgives you. Anything against that is from the evil one. And, Ravie, you don't have to ask over and over again. Once and done, just know and believe, and the Holy Spirit will help you!'_

The Holy Spirit had reminded her over and over again, but by not listening to those words for herself, the stronghold had been built. The thoughts of how wrong she was during the incident had literally eaten away at her confidence and her state of mind. And it was also the very reason why she had little drive at getting back to work sooner. Self-discipline is what she hadn't had, and what she had really needed. Her father had been so right. Jesus had already provided the way for her, she just didn't take it, and instead relied on what she felt and knew in her mind, which had been so very wrong.

Raven shook her head. All during this week she had also been expecting to be drilled over and over again about that night. Those first days after the incident had robbed her of peace while she was in the hospital. And when they finally did release her from the questioning, and the hospital, she had run home to wait on her dad to return in order to help her make sense of it all. She didn't answer the phone calls because she had assumed they would continue to drill her, or put her down for her lack of action. And with not having her dad with her, she knew mentally she wouldn't have been able to deal with it.

Raven hung her head between her knees. She was finally set free of that night, and the ironic thing was she had always been free. She hadn't believed, and so she had lacked the confidence that Jesus had forgiven her. Because of that she hadn't answered the phone call from the investigator that would have given her the knowledge of knowing that she was indeed set free.

' _Don't trust in what you are going through, baby girl, Trust in God, the only One who will be able to bring you through it. We never do know what is really happening, so don't get so sure of yourself! You need to cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit so that He can guide you, only He truly knows what is going on. Trust Him, not yourself. So come on and wake up, baby girl. You have a job to do, Ravie!'_

Those lectures from her father had always found her rolling her eyes at him as a teenager. She never could quite figure out how her father thought that he would know what a female teenager went through. And all along, her dad had known because he was a valuable Christian that was rare and hard to find. He had always put Christ first, thereby he was always fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit, Who knows all things. Why had she not listened to those same words during the past months? Because of the selfish stronghold that she had allowed, and even turned towards to help build. And now she was having to clean up more messes because of that lack of belief, and lack of self-discipline. Amazing how lack of self-discipline easily led to lack of belief.

Raven's heart leapt, her whispered words echoed in the bathroom, "Thank you Jesus, and please forgive me for turning away from you. Help me to turn more fully towards you, I love you so much. Thank you for forgiving me, and may I start turning to you in all things as my father had always tried to teach me."

"Raven, are you okay?"

Clearing her throat, Raven sat up straighter, "Uh, yes. I'll be out in a minute."

"Okay, Drake is getting a little worried."

"I'm alright, I'll be out soon."

"Okay."

A few minutes later, Raven felt renewed and ready to move on. Seeing that Drake was thankfully on his cellphone, Raven walked over to the punching bag in the far corner where Zeak was working out.

"I'm ready to leave now, Zeak."

Wiping the sweat from his brow with his taped hand, Zeak smirked. "Oh really? Well," jerking his head up towards the entrance of the gym he continued, "What does Drake have to say about that?"

"Well, I really do not see where it's any of his business. I have some things that I need to take care of in order to keep my job, and to provide for myself."

"Sorry, but I beg to differ."

Hands on her hips, Raven fumed, "I don't care if you 'differ' it makes no difference to me." Taking a deep breath, Raven lowered her eyes praying for calm, "Listen, this is not how I wanted to talk to you, I just...I'm so thankful for all of you helping me out at the range, then with your kind words that I so desperately needed to hear. You and your friends have done so much for me this week, but I need to move forward. I need to deal with..." wiping her brow, she hesitated, "the shooting and my weird problem with hearing gunshots, and the flashbacks and the nightmares. I know that I am currently less than the agent that I should be, and I may have to transfer back to the field because I can't protect anyone in this condition." She swallowed with some difficulty, "I know this. That is why I am trying to get off of the children's detail. And I need to provide for myself, I have nothing else, and no one else to rely on."

Raven took a deep breath, "I probably should resign, but I don't know what I would do if I do leave the service. And I'm afraid I would feel more lost then what I am already experiencing. I have always had a special place in my heart for law enforcement. This is the only lifestyle that I know, well, other than growing up as a military brat. And as I'm sure you are aware, there is no way I could even join the military and become a cop right now because of my ankle. It's," Raven blinked back another tear, "not completely up to par yet. I'm sorry, I'm rambling, but I just need to deal with what happened today and go back and talk with Agent Pierce about shooting my last round. Please take me there, I need to move on."

"You are not rambling. You need to talk, and I think part of the problem is that you haven't talked to anyone. So I'm thankful you feel comfortable talking to me. But I can't take you over there right now unless Drake says it's okay, and don't worry you did enough to qualify." He shrugged, and chuckled, "You couldn't do anything more after the incident that happened between the two CAT guys in there anyway. In fact it was so bad that the entire class had to evacuate. So you are completely cleared. Raven, you had already shot enough to qualify before you stopped."

"What incident?" Her eyebrows raised. "You guys got me out of a problem again, didn't you?"

Zeak smiled, "It was fun for them. Like two kids in a candy store."

"Okay, then make this fun. If you can't just let me walk out of here, or take me to the complex to get my car, then sneak me out of here. So _he_ doesn't know."

"Cute try, but..." he proceeded to exaggeratingly think about it, "no."

Throwing her hands up, Raven ground out, "What happened to agent solidarity?"

"Protectee's needs always, always come first. It's our sworn duty."

Growling, Raven stomped her foot and grabbed her hair. " _Please, Zeak._ I have to move on, I have to get out of here and away from _him_. _Please_ , I need to get away and think. And if I stay, I will lose everything I have left, don't you understand? The last thing I could deal with right now is disgracing the service over some guy!"

"How do you know that you aren't moving forward? Just because you aren't controlling your move forward, or doing what you think you have to do to move forward, doesn't mean you aren't moving forward correctly. Don't be afraid of what you don't understand, trust Jesus and take it one moment at a time. Try not to plan too far ahead."

"What? We spend our whole careers planning ahead, how can we not?"

"Exactly. Then we should want to take that break we need from planning our personal lives too far ahead. You know there is danger in always planning ahead in our jobs, too, because we get frustrated and stuck when things don't go as we have planned. There should always be a healthy balance with the ability to move forward regardless of the plans. Hey, you're forgetting that in training they drive those same principles into us."

"But when a decision could disgrace the service, an agent should take all precautions necessary to not let that happen."

"You can't begin to compare this with what those misguided agents did overseas, or some of the other ones who for their own selfish desires have done so by trying to cheat the system. This is different. The problem is also the fact that people are too worried about what others will say. And one of the best things to do is to let the Lord cleanse you of that because it ruins a lot. In fact no matter how great or truthful something is, there will always be someone on earth trying to twist it around to make it look bad." He pointed at her, "Every law enforcement agent is aware of that with the media, and everyone else not involved in a case. They try to speculate because they can't quite understand or put it together because they don't have all of the facts. In fact, come to think about it, I think everyone sometimes ends up doing that, including you, when you don't understand what is happening but still have to have the reason for it, or explanation. So stop it, stop thinking too much." With that he started punching his bag.

"Please, Zeak, just help me. _Please._ I have got to get alone and think."

Warm, strong arms came around her waist from behind, startling her. Drake's voice kept talking on the phone, and she tried not to listen. She looked to Zeak and mouthed, "Please help me."

He pointed his finger in her face, "I told you, stop thinking." And with that he left.

"Yes. No, I see your point, however it's wrong and I don't want that in my speech..."

Along with trying to mentally block her ears, Raven tried to control the response of her body to his nearness. Hearing him quietly chuckling and leaning in to graze his lips across her neck confirmed that she hadn't quite managed that.

"Hey, Robert, I have to go. Yep, I'll talk to you later." Drake tucked his phone back into his pocket and joined his hands across her stomach. "Mmmm. I could stand like this all day long."

"Drake, I've got to go. I have to go get my car, and my gun back."

"Nope. You are done for the day. In fact, it's Friday so you are done for the weekend."

"No I'm not done, I have to..."

"Hey, you know you are. Your boss told you that you didn't have to go back to work after you did your firearms requalifying."

"No, I have more to do. I have to... _what?_ " She spun around with such surprise force he had no choice but to let her go. Anger rose within her, "How do you know that?"

Drake shrugged, "The guys informed me of it when they notified me that you needed help."

"Great. _Just great._ This is going way too far, and there are way too many people involved." Raven ran for the door.

She sprinted past the agents working out, and was out the door greedily gulping in the fresh air within seconds.

Praying that their gym was not too far off the beaten path, Raven followed the gravel road. She ran faster than she could ever remember running before. Her ankle argued, but she ignored it. Running even faster when she heard the faint sounds of engines behind her, Raven veered off the road, ducking through the trees, trying to cover her trail. Her shirt was snagged, but she kept on running. Seeing a building above the small tree line, she veered off the path again and made a bee-line straight for it. She was just pulling up to the small grocery store when a cop was getting into his car.

Raven startled him, but she quickly flashed her badge, "I need a ride fast!"

Thankfully the officer was not the slow type, her door had just closed when he spun around in the parking lot and took off.

"Where to, ma'am? Do I need sirens?"

"No, no sirens." Her mind raced. She was sure that her car was not at the training complex, and there was no way she could return home. Think, _think!_ She looked out ahead of them and it hit her.

"How about if you take me to the Marriott right off the beltway."

"Okay. I have to ask though, are you okay? I've seen enough badges to know that your credentials are legit, but I see you have an empty holster. And with running like the wind? You've got me pretty shocked here."

Raven smiled, "You know, agent stuff. They've been giving me a hard time all week."

Thankfully, she could tell him the truth. However, she could just imagine his face if she would have told him outright, including all of the details of what was really going on. ' _Well, you see the President of the United States has been dogging my moves all week and I just can't seem to shake him or the CAT guys.'_ The policeman would probably drive her straight to Headquarters, and escort her straight into the Psych Evaluation team's office. And just picturing the look on his face had her suddenly really laughing.

"Are you sure you're okay, ma'am."

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Raven smiled broadly for the first time in a long time, "Yep. Sorry, it's just way too funny to explain. But I'm so thankful for you giving me a ride. Can you do me a big favor, Officer?"

"Just call me Mike."

"Oh, okay, Mike. Could you please not log this ride in, nor tell anyone about it? I don't need the guys knowing about it, you know? More salt on the wound."

He laughed, "Sure, no problem. I'm glad I could help, and don't worry, my lips are sealed. I've worked with enough service agents to know that their jokes can be brutal. They put our rookie jokes to shame."

Raven laughed.

Arriving at the hotel, he turned to her and smiled, "Hey, let me give you my card should you need help again. Just call me, I'll gladly help a beautiful woman in distress."

Taking his card, she smiled. "Thank you so much."

Getting out of the patrol car, Raven took her holster off and held it under her credentials wallet. Straightening her shirt, she held her arm in a certain way that covered up the small hole, and she was ready to deal with the next hurdle of getting out of showing her ID and not leaving a paper trail.

Raven sank into the big bed, stretching, and finally allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief. Praise the Lord that she had listened to her father years ago and had put extra, emergency money inside her credentials wallet. For the first time ever she had used it, and she had enough money to pay cash for this room, eat this weekend, and buy herself a sweat suit. Sitting up, Raven carefully took off her boots, and winced as pain sliced through her ankle which had doubled in size. Groaning, she limped to the window, and carefully looked out without moving the curtain. Relief washed over her. They could be out and about in their personal vehicles, but she still felt a little safe as long as she didn't see one of their black SUVs. With nothing else to do, Raven positioned her boots by the wall, then yawning, she climbed into the bed and within minutes was sound asleep.

# Chapter 8

Her eyes gritty, her mood even grittier, Raven unlocked her condo door early Monday morning. She didn't even bother to check her kitchen or living room for the guys. At this point she really didn't care if they were here. One comment and they would wish they didn't even know her. What an awful weekend. Walking into her bedroom, she flipped on the light and shock slammed into her. Her mouth open, Raven stepped into her room and mentally tried to count all that she saw. There were over twenty groups of white roses, with a single red rose in each group standing tall in their vases all throughout her room. They looked so beautiful. Her heart almost melted until she remembered the lost cause of enjoying them. _Drake._ Her bed was the only surface that didn't have any roses, instead there was a huge beautiful blue furry blanket spread on top.

Frowning, Raven took a step forward unable to believe what was right in front of her. Property of the President of the United States was emblazoned across the top with the infamous Presidential seal below it in gold. Identical to the t-shirt she had worn a few days ago. Without thinking, Raven grabbed the blanket, bunched it up and took all of her anger out on it. Her mind rebelled and squashed all thinking about how sweet that night had been when she had worn that t-shirt, and how softly and so respectably he had kissed her goodnight. Never again, _never again!_

A few hours later, Raven walked into the supply room to refill her coffee mug. It was still early, the duty desk agent had just rotated out, and her boss was now in his office. Fighting back her yawn, Raven sighed. It had been such a busy morning. But alas her bags were all packed, along with all of her other personal belongings waiting in her truck ready for the trip home. Nothing left in the condo was hers, at least nothing that she would claim, most especially those beautiful roses. They would be a great parting gift for the manager today. His wife would love them, and that should help ease any tension that may be there because she had to back out of the lease early.

All she would have to do is donate that double bagged, infuriating blanket on her way out of town in a few hours. Rounding her desk, she picked up her assault bag and checked off her mental list again of all of her issued items she had to turn in. They would just have to pick up her gun from the armory at the training complex. If it wasn't there, then they would just have to locate it because that was where she had left it. Her most recent resignation letter was neatly tucked in the side of the bag.

Techy sure did a number on her personal computer, every time she had tried to type a resignation letter it had deleted it. After trying a few things, she had found out that as long as the words _resignation_ and _resign_ wasn't in it, it would stay up. She would just have to give that computer away and buy a new one. She didn't trust that Techy guy, he was way too good with electronics. Sitting back down, she leaned forward resting her head on her hand. Four cups of coffee and she was just now feeling a little better.

Her ankle really started throbbing. Stashing her personal vehicle near the headquarters then running to work may have been over doing it, but either way it had been a success because she had not seen any of the CAT guys. And she was not taking any chances when she was finally this close to going home.

Raven could not wait to be on her way home in her own truck. Maybe then she would be free of this unsettling feeling in her gut, and be able to finally relax. She would drive through two other states before she stopped. Hopefully by then she would have enough coffee in her to make up for her sleepless weekend. Looking to the clock on the wall, Raven started to head to her boss's office, but the blaring of the office intercom stopped her.

"Agent Somers. You are needed over in the tourist wing immediately. Meet Agent Smith right outside the door."

Raven sprang into action and ran out of the office where Agent Smith was bending over catching his breath.

His face was red from his exertion, "We've got to hurry. The tours open up in just over an hour and the first kids have locked themselves in the public bathrooms."

" _Oh great!_ How have they managed that?"

"Hard to say, but they had just been with their grandma, and then wham they were gone."

Raven quickly followed Eric letting him clear the way to the tourist section. Hallway after hallway, her head spun, but finally they were in the stairwell. Not wanting to further injure her ankle, she slowed down a bit and was so glad when she was finally moving into the huge open room where the bathrooms were. The kids' traveling detail were outside the bathrooms angrily waiting.

One agent motioned for her to stand right in front of the door. Raven moved up.

"Agent Somers is here now." His voice filled with frustration.

Questioningly, Raven turned to the agent who just shrugged and backed away.

"I don't believe you until I hear her voice." Jake's proud voice echoed in the bathroom.

The agent pointed to the door, "Well, tell them."

"I'm here. This is Agent Somers. Why don't you just open the doors? Come on, you don't want to be late for school and get into trouble."

"We really do not care about school right now. We have a bigger problem!"

"You tell her, Jake!" Madeline's angry voice shouted through the room.

"What? What's the bigger problem?"

"Is Dad out there?"

"No..."

"I'm right here. Come out of there, right now!" Drake's husky voice ordered them to obey.

A wave of dizziness slammed against Raven, and she subtly grabbed the door for support. Her hand tightened into a fist.

"Not until _you and Raven_ kiss and make up!" Jake ordered back at his father.

Nausea struck her quicker than the full realization of those words scattering across the listening protective detail, not to mention the infamous Presidential Protection Detail (PPD) standing off to the side.

"Raven, you have sad eyes, and I don't like that. Daddy now has them, too. I even caught him crying when he was praying last night, your picture was in his hands. You both need each other to have happy eyes again! So, _kiss!_ " Madeline's voice seemed even more commanding than her brother's and her father's put together.

Blindly, Raven walked towards the direction of the stairwell.

" _Raven!_ "

She stopped. His commanding voice penetrating deep into her heart. The heavy weight of shame on her shoulders caused her head to hang down. She looked to her boots, and the memories of this last week suddenly rolled through her mind. Drake softly promising that he wouldn't get involved in her job, promising that it would be alright if she just had faith. That combined with her miserable sleepless weekend had her suddenly seeing red. With nothing more to lose, she flung around and standing tall, walked up to him and pointed at his face, "You promised me you would not get involved in my job. You got your children involved! All I wanted to do was to be left alone, to get back to work and save my career." She pushed him, "How dare you? _You jerk!_ I just wanted to be left alone, I didn't want to disgrace the service! Have faith you said?" Raven continued to launch at him until what seemed to be a dozen pair of hands grabbing her and violently yanking her from him. Which just made her even madder because it was all _his_ fault!

"Get your hands off of her. Let her go, _now!_ " Drake's angry command vibrated through the room.

Raven continued to fight with her captors, she managed to kick a few, and even Drake got hit when he was trying to pull his detail agents off of her. Finally, she was free. The fight still strong in her, she turned on Drake and started hammering him over and over again in the chest. "Why? Why, _me?_ _Why?_ " Sobbing, her fingers clung to his white silky shirt. "I've lost everything. Are you happy, now? You have nothing to worry about, but now I've lost everything!"

Pushing away, Raven stumbled towards the door that led to the stairwell.

"Raven, _sweetheart?_ _Please_..."

She froze in her tracks and viciously yelled. "Don't! Don't you even dare come near me!" Rushing as if her life depended on it, Raven sprinted through the door and up the stairs.

Her tears were blinding her, and she couldn't focus on the steps. Without any warning, her ankle gave out and the ground rushed up to meet her. Pain seared through her leg and a loud snap resonated through the stairwell mixing with Drake's scream and hers, as the splintering of her leg sharply cut through her nerves. Her side smashed into another step causing her to lose her breath, and her head hit against the top step at the landing invoking more pain as warm liquid started seeping out. She moaned and rolled her head against the hard concrete. Strong, comforting hands surrounded her face. "Drake?"

"Yes, baby, I'm right here. Don't worry, sweetheart, you'll be fine. Get that ambulance here, _now!_ "

Too many voices were urgently relaying information. Moaning, Raven tried to cover her ears, but she could only move her arms a little bit. All the voices were giving her a headache.

His lips tenderly kissed hers. "Just relax, sweetheart." He tenderly wiped her brow, at the same time applied more pressure to the side of her forehead.

"Stop, don't."

"Baby, I have to. You're bleeding, I'm just applying pressure."

Her vision became blurry as she saw people rushing all around her, she tried to move away but couldn't.

"Daddy, is Raven alright?" Madeline's concerned little voice floated up to Raven.

"Daddy! Say she will be alright!" Jake screamed orders at his dad.

"She'll be fine Jake and Maddie. Now you need to leave." Turning to Collars, his lead detail agent, he hissed, "Get my kids out of here, now."

" _Please..._ " Raven tried moving.

"Stay still, sweetheart. Don't move."

"No. Stairs...hurt..."

"Drake, she needs to be moved, the step is poking into her back and side causing added stress." Without waiting for a reply, Lawrence, Zeak and Techy took control of the situation and very carefully moved her up the step onto the top landing.

Drake continued to hold his suit jacket against her forehead. Praying, Drake rubbed her hair off her face, and gently stroked her skin hoping to relieve some of the pain.

"Raven? It's Zeak. Open your eyes, babe. Yep, that's it." He chuckled, "I know the light is harsh, but come on open up so I can see. Good." He turned and rattled off information to Techy, who was translating it to the incoming ambulance. He was also reading from her medical chart kept in the office of allergies, and any previous conditions.

Raven suddenly arched in pain, and loudly groaned while instinctively trying to hide her face towards Drake.

"It's alright. You can hit Lawrence when you're feeling better. In fact, I just might help you with that. He's the one down there hurting you. I'm doing your vitals, so your chest is going to feel something cold against it."

Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she groaned as Lawrence had to shift her leg again. Her weak fingers grabbed at Drake's trying desperately to pull him towards her. " _Drake._ "

"My sweetheart. I'm right here." He rested his forearms on either side of her head, and stretched his long legs out behind him.

"I...I...don't feel so...well." Drake's concerned face swam before her.

"Raven, we are going to start an IV. The ambulance is only five minutes away." Zeak quickly swabbed her vein. "Okay, it's in." Taping up her arm, he urgently ordered the recommended dose of narcotics. "Okay, sweetie, you're going to feel a little funny, I'm giving you some medicine to relax you and to help ease your pain so that your heart rate and blood pressure will regulate. Tell EMT Tech Sullivan it's a go. Standby for her new vitals..."

Her head started to feel funny, she tried to keep her eyes fixed on Drake, but she couldn't. "Drake...I'm sorry. Please don't...leave." Her words slurred and she tried to hold on tighter to him.

"I'm not sweetheart. I'm right here, feel me?" His nose rested against hers, breathing her in.

She tried to nod.

"Raven, don't fight it, just relax, let the medicine do its job. Don't worry, sweetie, you're alright. And believe me, we'll make sure you're not alone." His hand continued to rub her arm. He looked to Techy and Lawrence, strong concern washed over their faces. Lawrence briefly shook his head and then looked to her leg, and back up again. "Her bad ankle?"

"Yep. PPD said that she was running up the steps. It must have given out again when she ran causing her to fall. It'll need surgically set, then once that heals, another ankle recon I'm sure. I'll stand in surgery with her."

"Okay. Techy, call Luciano and tell him to get down here stat, with reinforcements." He tilted his head over to where Drake was laying down, and comforting Raven. "Even though it's out in here, it isn't in the presses, so he can't come. The more that believe she is just an injured agent, the better." He prayed that Drake would not put up too much of a fight. Turning to the lead PPD agent in the room, Zeak continued to prepare, "When SAIC gets here, as soon as we leave with her, close off the stairwell completely and every agent but Luciano and his men are to leave. Hard telling what will happen. Did you delay the tours?"

"Yep. All taken care of. Damage control is done. All lips are sealed and the kids are with their grandmother in the family quarters. Two agents are at their door, not allowing them to leave until the President can deal with them."

Zeak reached to his belt and adjusted the volume of his earpiece, "Perfect. Roger says the ambulance is approaching now."

"All clear for ambulance." Agents filed out and cleared the way. His SAIC Moreno rushed in with six of their biggest guys.

Lawrence whistled and shook his head, this was not going to be pretty.

"All clear. Two EMTs running in with the board stretcher." An agent at the bottom of the stairwell informed them.

"Raven? Just remain calm, okay sweetie? We're only allowing two EMTs in, Techy, Lawrence and I will be carrying you down. Okay?"

She lightly nodded.

Lawrence quickly turned to the two EMTs rushing into the stairwell, "You are to help our female agent. That is it. What you see in this stairwell is classified. If you so much as breathe anything about it, anything at all, we will prosecute. Understood?"

"Yes, sir." Together, both men confirmed.

"Proceed."

Luciano lowered himself on his hunches and placed his hand on Drake's back. "I know it's hard, but she's in great hands. She'll be fine. The Lord is with her, you know that."

Drake nodded, he leaned in and kissed her once more. A knot was lodged into his throat and he couldn't speak.

"Great job, guys. I'm going to adjust her flow since her vitals are much better. A top ankle specialist from Baltimore is on standby at the George Washington University Hospital, he was already in residence when the call came through. He is looking over her past injury now. Raven? I'm EMT Tech Sullivan, I will be in the back with you, monitoring you, okay?" Quickly placing his items back in his bag, he took up her IV bag and looked to make sure his partner had the board stretcher on the landing ready for her. He looked to the other agents, "Ready? Raven, we are going to lift you now and you may feel a little more pain, but the medicine will help with that."

"Remember, also watch her side, strong possibility of cracked ribs. Drake, lift her head on three. Ready?"

Drake quickly got to his feet, bent down, and nodded.

"1...2...3."

Raven lightly moaned.

In record time she was strapped in, and lifted back up to be quickly carried down the steps.

Luciano signaled, and the door was quickly slammed in Drake's face.

While placing her board stretcher on the waiting cart, a loud force connected with the door. The EMTs were momentarily startled, while Agent Collars stood rigid, his face unreadable as he leaned against the shaking door.

Zeak shouted out orders, "Ignore and proceed men. Just ignore and proceed!"

Her foot felt like it was on fire. She tried to lift it, but it weighed a ton. Her mouth was so dry, and she felt something holding her down on her left side, and then there was a beeping sound coming from her right. Gingerly opening her eyes, she quickly saw she was lying in a hospital room, and the blinds were shut. She looked to where the sound was coming from and saw the machine attached to an IV pole. She looked to her other side and her breath caught. Drake was asleep with his head resting up against her. Both of his hands were holding onto her thigh, gripping her. And one of his hands had a bandage strapped around his knuckles. There was a puffy scratch on his cheekbone, but he looked so at peace. She softly raised her hand and traced his brow, he was so handsome.

His eyes immediately opened in shock, then when he saw her, a huge smile lightened his face. "Hi."

She sadly smiled.

"Hey, sweetheart. It's okay." He leaned up to kiss her."

"I'm thirsty."

"Oh, okay. I'll get something." Opening up her door, he leaned out to talk to someone. Striding back to her bed, he tenderly looked at her, "Zeak is getting it."

"I like your uniform."

"Yep, just like a regular CAT guy, eh? Look at this." He put the ball cap on his head and tilted it down, then walked back and forth in front of her. He cocked his head, lifted his hat slightly, winking, "Good cover, eh?"

Her heart skipped a beat, "Yes."

"There she is." Chuckling, Zeak walked into the room carrying a white Styrofoam cup with straw. "And here is your Ginger Ale. So, do you like Drake's new look?"

"Yes." She sighed, and looked to Zeak. "Thank you for everything." Her voice choked and covering her face Raven began to cry.

She remembered only bits and pieces of what happened, but one thing she really remembered was that Zeak had always been right there, talking to her. Then Lawrence when they were waking her up from surgery. She remembered him leaning in and laughingly assuring her that she had not divulged any top secret information during it. Drake tucked her face into his neck, comforting her, and filling her ears with unbelievable endearments. She would not think about what she faced, nor what tomorrow would bring; she would just allow herself this one moment of breathing in his comforts. Greedily, her fingers grabbed his shirt holding onto him, trying to get even closer.

" _Please_ , hold me."

"Oh, sweetheart, I've longed for you to ask me that. Hold on." He took off his long-sleeve black BDU shirt and very gently moved her over more in the bed. Then after stretching out, he very carefully pulled her into his arms, making sure that they were both covered with the blanket. His arms were completely around her and her beautiful face tucked into his chest against his t-shirt. "Is this okay? It's not hurting you, is it?" His hand rested against her fractured ribs.

"No, it's not hurting me."

"I'm praying that you find peaceful sleep in my arms. That you will not have any more nightmares, and that your spirit rests completely in Jesus' arms as you are physically resting in mine."

A tender smile broke her frown, and raising her lips to him, Raven kissed him on her own for the first time ever.

Drake's heart melted.

# Chapter 9

Raven's eyes shot open as someone loudly came into her room. Her heart ached, it was only a nurse.

"Good morning."

"Hi."

"Well, your doctor is very pleased with you, and said you will be going home today. So they are bringing up some crutches. Do you know how to use them?"

"Yep."

"Okay, in that case I won't have you go to therapy. Now it's going to be a little more painful to do because of your ribs, but we'll show you a little trick that may help with that. I'm just going to remove your IV since you ate your breakfast."

"Thank you."

"Oh, you're welcome."

A knock sounded on her door seconds before her co-worker Eric peaked in.

"Come in, just taking out her IV."

"Hi, Raven. How are you feeling this morning? Are you up for a little company?"

Raven slightly smiled, "Yep."

A young, dark blonde haired woman walked in. She looked familiar, but Raven couldn't think where she would have seen her before.

"Raven, this is my old time buddy, Hannah."

Hannah waved, "I think we've kind of met. I almost ran into you at the Headquarters last week when you were apparently starting back to work."

Realization dawned, "Yes, nice to meet you. Sorry about that day, I wasn't really myself."

"No. You may have looked a little sidetracked, but hey I get super nervous walking into that Headquarters myself. You were fine."

The nurse turned to leave, "Okay, I'll bring in the crutches when they arrive. Let me know if you need more Ginger Ale."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Oh, you are most welcome, honey..." Her parting words ending once the door was shut.

"Okay, here is the deal, Raven. We're getting you out of here."

"What?" Raven's mouth dropped open.

"Well," Eric raised a black assault bag, "it's yours. I took it after I returned back to the office yesterday morning. Since it looks like they are releasing you today, I have to ask, were you planning on resigning yesterday?"

Raven briefly closed her eyes, "Yes."

"We thought so. I wish you wouldn't resign, but I figured your mind is already completely made up. And after the surprise relationship was revealed yesterday, and then the happenings of the other night at the restaurant, I put two and two together. I then enlisted the help of my buddy, here. We want you to be able to resign with dignity. Instead of being forced to. I just got the feeling yesterday, that well, you would need help in however you chose to proceed. So we," he motioned between Hannah and himself, "want to help you do that. If you need us, that is."

"It's not that we don't think the CAT guys will help you because believe me we can easily see they are majorly protective over you. But you just seem to be in a peculiar position, and we're afraid that if they continue to care for you, and don't allow you to resign, then it could end badly. But, as Eric said, we would totally support you should you change your mind and want to stay in the service. And if you don't need our help, then we can leave."

Raven frowned, "No, my mind is completely made up. I have to resign, I don't have another choice. Especially since the doctor just explained that I probably won't ever be able to be cleared for field, or protection duty, and that means I would have to be transferred to Headquarters. But there is no way I could handle working there having had brought shame to the service, that is if they would still keep me on after all of this." Raven leaned back, "It's only a matter of time until they hear about yesterday. If they haven't already with the children's incident report, along with mine. You know, I have been praying this morning for wisdom on how I can get to Headquarters to resign. So, thank you. I need to do this on my own, and I can't wait any longer. But, I may need your help afterwards, too. I have my personal vehicle hidden and I'll need a ride there. I can't stay here in D.C., I can't run the risk of running into..." she gulped. "I'm so tired, I just want to go home and lick my wounds, you know? That way I can move on and figure out what I should do next. They just won't seem to let me alone, and I can't understand it. I'll admit, if he wasn't who he was right now it would be different. But if you don't help me leave here completely, then I will really run the risk of being found out by the media and then my whole future would really be gone."

"Well, after you resign you could continue getting to know him. He apparently really cares for you, and his children apparently agree." Eric smiled.

"And where will that lead me? Are you kidding me? I am in no way First Lady material even if it were that serious."

"They are human, too, Raven. You'd be surprised how the Lord could use you, and you would be refreshing to have as a First Lady." Hannah placed the bag she was holding on top of the bed.

"I have way too much baggage right now. And I could in no way handle the media."

"Okay, well, we better get going then. I'll help you change into the sweat suit I bought you while Eric gets those crutches. Are you sure you are up to it? We're not trying to pressure you, but when we were standing out there and heard the doctor was releasing you today, we jumped on it. And we are pretty positive that POTUS and CAT both have already been notified of your discharge." Hannah started to carefully help her put on the sweatshirt.

"I guess it really doesn't matter if I'm up to it, it's something that I need to do. I'll be fine once we get going. You know, I keep trying to remind myself that I am an adult, and I can make my own decisions, and that it's just business that I have to take care of. I just can't figure it out."

"Well, I can't either, but then again, I don't know much about it. But when I see a friend in need, I help."

"Thank you."

"Okay, now for the pants, I'll slip it over your legs."

"Thank you so much for the sweat suit. If you give me my credentials wallet I can pay you back. It's so comfy." She looked down at the wide low-rise waist band, and the stylish sweatshirt that went with it. It wasn't her normal agent attire, but it would still due for resigning.

"Don't even think about it. It's my pleasure to help you out. I'm glad that I'm a part of this, and I am glad you like it. I prefer this style myself."

Eric came in, "Okay, as far as I can tell there are two CAT guys, at least. They're out of uniform, but they are definitely here watching out for her."

"Eric, just give me my crutches I really have had enough of this. I'm tired of running from them, trying to dodge them, to stop them, all because I need to do what I need to do. I'm also tired of them doing everything for me, or getting me out of every situation. This is ridiculous! I am an adult, I make my own decisions. So, come on guys, let's go." Anger drove her on, there was no way they would resign for her, nor would she just lay around and wait to be fired. She had to at least give the service that much respect, anything less would haunt her for life.

Desperately choosing to ignore the pain, Raven went to the nurse's station to sign the papers. "My ride is here, so I would really like to sign my release papers."

"But ma'am you're supposed to leave in a wheelchair, and we were told..."

"I'm sorry if I am about to be rude, but I don't care what you've been told. I am doing great on my crutches, I don't need the wheelchair, and I am solely in charge of myself. I have no significant other. And my friends are here, I have my crutches, I saw the doctor, my IV is removed, and I really need to leave, _please._ " Wincing slightly, Raven balanced on her good leg and signed the discharge papers that the tightlipped nurse just laid down on the counter.

"Thank you again for all of your help." Turning, Raven followed Eric to the elevators.

Hannah called to Raven, "Maybe we should use that wheelchair."

"No, we've got to get going. I'm fine."

The doors were just about to close when a black combat boot stopped it. Yep, he was one of them. Raven didn't know his name, but she sure recognized him. Frowning, he stepped in. And instead of turning around like normal people do in elevators, he stood right in front of where the doors closed shut, his arms crossed, staring right at all three of them.

Raven leaned back against the wall. This really was ridiculous. And of course, all the way to the lobby floor there was no one else that even tried to get on the elevator in this busy hospital. How did they make all situations turn for their benefit?

Following behind Eric, 'her protector' fell into step right next to her. Hannah glared at him and walked on her other side.

Briefly stopping, Raven tried to breathe through the pain, but breathing only seemed to make it worst. Wiping her brow, she swayed slightly. His arm came out to steady her, so did Hannah's. _This was just way too much._ She was so relieved to see that Eric's car was already parked at the pick-up entrance, he stood there with his passenger door open for her.

"I'll take those."

"Oh, no you won't!" Raven tried to hold tight to her crutches as she was sitting in the car.

The man leaned in, "Listen, Raven. If you do not let me hold these and get into this car with you guys, then I will press this small little button right here." He pulled out a small electronic device. "And believe me, you will not want that to happen."

"Why? Why, can't you guys just let me go? I have some personal business to take care of."

"We have our orders. Now, which is it?"

"Well, give me my crutches, first."

"Oh, no. That's not going to happen."

Seeing that there were cars impatiently waiting on them, Raven ground out, "Get in. But do not speak, I really cannot handle much more right now."

She leaned her head back, closing her eyes as a wave of pain in her side intensified, and her leg felt like a thousand needles were sticking into it. She silently prayed for strength to do what she had to do... _without crying_.

"Ma'am may I be allowed to ask one question?"

Raven tried to get comfortable, "Go ahead."

He chuckled, "I think you will do perfectly fine in a position of authority."

"The question." Raven puffed out a breath.

"Oh, yes. Agent Davenport, are you single?"

" _What!?_ " Hannah's eyes popped open.

Raven giggled. "Oh, boy that was unexpected."

"It most certainly was. And yes, I am, but forget it."

"Oh, not for me." The agent brought his wrist up to his mouth, smiling. "Reply was yes. All systems a go."

"What do you mean 'all systems a go?'" Hannah was fuming.

"Well, you see there really isn't anything for you to worry about. When you have a need to know, you will know."

"Excuse me?!"

"Sorry, can't speak as per _her_ orders." He pointed to Raven's head.

" _Oh, come on._ Make him speak Raven." She looked over at Raven and concern washed over her. "Raven, are you alright. You look so pale. I knew we should have gotten that wheelchair. Well, don't worry, there is one at the South Entrance of Headquarters tucked away in the closet. Eric drop us off there."

Raven swallowed her pride, she was not going to argue. She was so exhausted. She hadn't slept all weekend, and then this. A tender look crossed her face as she reminisced how Drake had held her so securely last night. She had slept so good until Zeak had come in explaining that it was time to leave. Drake had said no at first, but then he reminded him of his important meeting at 5:15 a.m. She had basically been awake ever since. How had she come to rely so heavily on him? It really made no sense...

"We're here."

"I'll be right back." Hannah quickly got out of the car and jogged into the building.

The other agent got out and opened up Raven's door.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to ask you your name."

"No need to apologize, you have a lot on your mind, not to mention with having to deal with pain and exhaustion. You know pain is a funny thing, then mix it in when you are really tired and haven't slept, then combine that with pressing business. Well, it becomes an explosion ready to happen." He smiled, "My name is Steve. Agent Steve Miller."

Raven automatically held out her hand, "Nice to meet you Steve."

"The pleasure is all mine." Resting her crutches against the car, he carefully helped her slide her legs around just as Hannah was arriving with the wheelchair. "Okay, put your right hand against the bandage on your ribs. That may help ease the pain as you move. It provides a type of support. I'm going to lift you and place you in the chair, don't try and raise your arm to my neck, just lean into my body."

She opened her mouth to object.

"Ma'am, don't fight me. Just lean." As she did, he laughed, "And I know, if you were in top form you would not allow this. But then again, I wouldn't be helping you either."

"Thank you, Steve."

"Oh, the pleasure was entirely mine. You are most welcome."

"Is that one of the prerequisites for being a CAT guy? Charm?"

"Nope. There are just a few of us with that amazing gift."

Raven smiled. She tried to reach up to her hair, but couldn't without more pain.

"Raven, don't worry, I'll fix you up once we get inside." Hannah patted her on the back.

"Okay, how is that?" Hannah wheeled her around so she could see her face in the bathroom mirror.

Raven smiled, "I like it. You're really good at fixing hair and makeup. Aside from the bandage covering up the stitches on my forehead, everything is just right. Thank you, I do feel more put together now." Taking a not so deep breath, Raven grimaced, "I'm ready. Let's go."

Hannah started to wheel her out of the bathroom when the all too familiar nervousness struck her. She really disliked coming to Headquarters, there were way too many bosses hanging around. And unable to stop herself, she continued talking, "My momma always told me, 'girl, just getting your hair done, and putting a little bit of makeup on, especially when you don't feel well, does a lot to improve your mood. God will keep you anchored in His joy, but you can help Him manifest that by working on your outside. Only He will give you the strength to do that.' My mom looked gorgeous every day until she died. She didn't feel well from the chemo, but boy to look at her, she was gorgeous."

"I'm sorry about your mom."

"Oh, it's alright. I know she is right where she wants, and needs to be. Personally in the arms of Jesus. She was so passionate about Him, and she would always remind me that I had better make sure that He is my One and Only, my Soul Mate. She said 'because only then will you be able to be a helpmate to your husband, and don't ever be fooled as a lot of other people are, Jesus is your True Soul Mate, not some physical man.'"

"My father always told me the same thing." Raven tenderly smiled.

"You know, another thing that bugs me?" They entered the elevator. "Well, it is when people say they 'lost someone.' After my mom went home, at her funeral a few people told me they were sorry for my loss. I stood straight and tall and kindly told them that I appreciate their condolences, but I didn't lose my mom. I know exactly where she is. She is at home, done with her journey here, and starting on her eternal journey with Jesus. While I am here, still on my earthly journey with Him."

An unexplainable peace washed over Raven. She sighed, there was a subtle warmness that entered her heart, "Thank you. I really needed to hear that." Amazing, Raven replayed those words in her mind, she prayed they would be sealed in her heart and without any thought, special words burst forth, "Praise Jesus."

"Amen, Praise Jesus." Hannah turned to Agent Miller who was suddenly smiling like he knew something, and was about to burst until he could spill it. "What? You can tell me, what has you so pleased?"

"What? What exactly do you mean?"

Hannah's eyes narrowed, "Miller, don't try that one again."

"Try what?"

"Playing the innocent. Because you're a lousy actor."

Eric laughed, as did everyone else in the elevator, but Hannah. She just did not feel right. Something was definitely going on behind the scenes here, and she was not at all pleased about it because it obviously concerned her.

Raven was surprised when they arrived at Mr. Mayer's office so quickly. She had been so caught up in the precious words that Hannah had spoken regarding her mom that she had actually forgotten what was going on. "Hannah, please just move me over there. I need to walk into his office."

"Sure."

Shockingly, Ms. Travers wasn't at her desk. She looked around and the few people that were in the office were trying too obviously not to look in her direction. An uneasiness gripped her causing her hands to shake as she took the crutches from Steve.

"Hey, you okay?" Steve looked at her.

Raven just nodded. Clearing her throat, she turned to Eric, but before she could say anything he responded.

"It would be an honor to carry in your items."

A slight smile lifted her mouth, as tears gathered. "Thank..."

"No, no need." He broadly smiled, "You're welcome."

Turning back, Raven looked to Mr. Mayer's office and somehow knew that she could walk right into his office without any warning. Looking to the ceiling, she momentarily concentrated on Jesus, she needed His strength. A softness washed over her, and an unexplainable strength inwardly lifted her. She looked to his closed door with confidence and slowly began making her way towards it. Eric walked before her and opened up Mr. Mayer's office door. She smiled to Eric and then stepped through.

A dizziness assailed her, something so tightly squeezed her heart and she just stood there. She would have fallen if Steve hadn't come up behind her with his hand on her back.

"Ma'am, let me help you to your seat right here."

Raven couldn't speak, she looked behind to Steve. His smile seemed so encouraging and she allowed him to help her sit down while Eric placed her black assault bag on her lap. As if in a dream, Raven looked up to Mr. Mayer, along with the Director of the United States Secret Service, the Assistant Director, and three other Executive Directors. They were all standing behind and around Agent Mayer without any expression on their faces. All staring straight at her.

"I would like to resign from the United States Secret Service." The words seemed to just flow from her mouth, although her mind was in so much turmoil. "It has been a wonderful pleasure serving under you all. I apologize that I am unable to give you any more notice, but physically I am unable to do so. I also," a small tear ran down her cheek, "would like to apologize for any disservice I may have been a part of, and for any undo embarrassment I may have caused the service. I fully respect the United States Secret Service, and am saddened for having caused shame to be brought down upon the Department. I also take full responsibility for my actions and the unnecessary shame they may have caused." As she spoke, Steve took her bag and carefully placed her letter, along with all of her issued items out in the open upon Mr. Mayer's huge oak desk. He then reached into his pocket and her firearm glinted in the light as he included that as well.

Mr. Mayer took a deep breath and leaned forward on his desk, "We do accept your resignation. We will proceed with the agent debriefing. Agent Miller, you may stay in the room."

Raven wiped her tears as they proceeded to explain all of the things she would not be able to say, do, or write. Her chest constricted, they were writing her out of their books, out of the service, out of her career. It was so much harder than she had realized it would be. She would have nothing left of her old life, nothing except a lonely house in the middle of the country. Steve placed his hand on her back in show of support and quietly handed her a tissue.

"Special Agent Raven Somers, do you agree and understand all that I have said?"

She tried to straighten up a little straighter to show her respect, but her side rebelled. "Yes, sir. I do."

"Okay, Miss Somers, we, too, are saddened to have lost a respectable agent as yourself. You have served the service well, and we wish you well in all that you do. Now, we cannot, however, accept your apology because apparently there is no fault to be laid at your feet."

Confusion struck her already tangled mind.

"The President of the United States, President Drake Hawk has issued a formal letter signed and sealed by him taking full responsibility. He has also further explained that he has in no way wasted any government funds, nor tax payers' dollars. He has stated that all help he has received in this matter, has been purely on a personal basis, and that all money spent, including vehicle gas money and wages, was spent out of his personal accounts. He has also provided all receipts, should that ever be in question." Mr. Mayer picked up a letter and looked to Raven, "He has ordered this letter to be placed in your permanent record. The presence of it will further stop anyone from even attempting civil, criminal, or any legal action against you in regards to himself, be it in the past or in the future."

She physically felt a burden lift from her. Drake had put himself, and basically his whole administration's reputation on the line. All for her.

"So, Miss Somers, you are officially, and _honorably_ resigned from the United States Secret Service."

Raven was so stunned. He had not only protected her, he had protected her future as well.

"Now that is settled, we can proceed."

"Proceed?"

"Yes, ma'am. We are in the process of setting up your personal protection detail. In the meantime, until that is officially in place, President Hawk has officially requested, with a signed agreement from Special Agent in Charge Luciano Moreno, Special Agents Zeak, Lawrence..." His office door opened.

Her heart dropped, panic violently gripped her body, as Zeak, Lawrence, Techy and Miller filed out in front of her. Standing straight and tall, their hands clasped in front of them smiling. "No, no." Violently shaking her head, "I will not accept a detail. There is no need for one, I'm going home to Illinois. Thank you, but no I do not accept it."

"Miss Somers, you have no choice. President Hawk has personally ordered it."

Raven's mind raced for ways to get her out of this horrible nightmare, she grabbed her crutches and painfully stood, "I declare USC Code 18 Section 22a, I verbally denounce the detail. I do not need it, nor want it. But thank you anyway. No." She tried to walk away.

"Ma'am. President Hawk has also added that USC Code 18 Section 22 _b_ be put in place, which states that because of the nature of this situation and the possible imminent threat to himself, and you, he has legally overrode your decision. It is binding, and has already been signed in the presence of the higher courts. It is completely unnegotiable. It is a sound order, sealed, and binding. There are no loopholes and no one can override his decision, or even attempt to."

A wave of nausea slammed through her. How had she forgotten that Drake wasn't just Drake? He was currently one of the most powerful men in the world. Zeak helped her sit down before she fainted. "I can't Zeak, please don't do this, _please_."

"Raven. I regret to have to do what I am about to do, but you need to face your feelings, or we are going to be forever battling with you." Walking over he took a piece of paper that Mr. Mayer handed him. "Read this."

She frowned, and looked to see what it was. She gulped, "I can't."

"You must." His quiet voice held a command.

She read it. Near the end of the explanation, her stomach started dry heaving. The trash can was placed in her lap as Zeak rubbed her back. How could someone want to do that to Drake? How could they even think it, or plan it?

"That is all the confirmation we need." Mr. Mayer stepped around his desk and picked up the paper that had fallen from her shaking fingers. He handed it over to the Director who was smiling, and calmly shredded it.

"Raven. That was just a stupid threat report that you read. Something that you have been reading, filing, and dealing with your whole career."

"But it's different." Her pitiful voice echoed in the trash can.

"You're right. It is different because it is directly threatening someone that you care very deeply for. _Not_ just a protectee."

Lawrence came back into the office with a cold, wet cloth and put it across her forehead, coaxing her to lean back and relax as he patted her face. Suddenly, the Batman Theme song resonated through the office.

The four agents laughed. Lawrence turned and motioned to her bag, "Uh that will be for Raven. Miller, you had better get that or believe me it will not stop ringing."

Placing the phone in her hands, Miller said, "Raven open your eyes, you need to read your message."

She looked down at the phone, _'I miss you so much, my arms ache for you_.' Blushing, Raven took the cloth from Lawrence.

"I'm okay, now. Thank you for your help." She handed the phone back to Lawrence who put it back in her bag. She should have responded, but how could she respond to him? She just didn't know.

"Well, sirs, I think we need to get our protectee back to bed. So we will leave now, and don't worry we'll think of a snazzy call sign for her. Wait, I know, how about Batwoman?" Chuckling, Zeak helped her up and then carefully helped her into the waiting wheelchair. Raven suddenly had no fight left in her, she was so very tired. Slumping in the chair, she tried to get comfortable, but it was difficult.

"Don't worry, Raven, we will be out of here in no time." Lawrence walked right next to her carrying her bag.

Closing her eyes, she couldn't help but think of Drake and his comforting arms aching for her. She really did crave them, too.

Within just a few short minutes, Zeak was helping her into the back of one of the presidential limos. She didn't argue, fight, whine, cry, or complain, she hardly had any energy to lift her hand.

Lawrence was already inside helping her to stretch out. He placed a soft, fuzzy blue pillow under her head, and with a matching blanket identical to the one that had been in her room, covered her. "This is my blanket, isn't it?"

"Yes." He smirked.

She opened her eyes, and looked to Zeak, "Can you please take me to Arlington? I really need to see my dad's cross."

He softly smiled, "Sure." He clicked on his transmitter, "Take us to Arlington Cemetery."

Lawrence held out a drink for her, "Here, this should help. It's just Ginger Ale."

Sipping, Raven smiled, "Thank you, I needed that."

"You're welcome, now rest until we get there."

"Raven, we've arrived."

Raven opened her eyes and started to try and sit up. "I-I don't have my earplugs. Do you have any with you?"

Zeak smiled, "You won't need them today. There are no funerals scheduled until tonight, and it has already been arranged that there will be no guns fired."

Her eyes widened, "Oh...thank you." Slowly, she was helped from the limo and placed into a small black wheelchair.

"This is your new wheelchair, we will use it whenever you need to go anywhere, or at least until those ribs fully heal and you are more up to walking on your crutches."

She couldn't form any words, she just silently nodded her head. Raven tiredly looked around and was surprised to see that they were already at her father's gravesite. "How did you know?"

"It's our business to know the details, isn't it?" Zeak placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I-I guess." Her tears already started flowing down her face when she saw his white cross. She could so easily pick it out. It didn't matter that from behind his looked like all the rest alongside it on the hill. To her, his was so distinct. In the far distance sirens sounded, but no gunshots. A hope was suddenly renewed within her, she would hear her father's honorary gun salute, s _omeday_.

"Would you like to get closer, and sit down beside it? We'll carry you."

She nodded. Tears continuing to flow, her heart aching so desperately to just see his face one more time, Raven allowed them to carry her.

As they very carefully placed her on the ground beside her dad's cross, the sirens got louder and then just as quickly they quit. It became so quiet, and peaceful. She didn't notice anything other than her dad's beautiful name and rank etched into the cross. Her fingers lightly grazed over each letter just like she so often did as a little girl sitting on her daddy's lap while he wore his flight suit. A sob caught in her throat as the letters swam before her eyes, and Raven gave in to her deep heartache. She missed him so much. His smile, his voice, his hugs. So caught up in her misery, Raven didn't even notice the long motorcade quietly parking behind the limo. Nor Drake, dressed in his tailored black suit, red silk shirt, and infamous no-tie appearance, silently walking down towards her.

Drake very carefully wrapped her in his arms while she poured her heart out to him. He held her for as long as she needed him to.

Wiping her final tears away, he tenderly kissed her beautiful blue eyes, all the while praying that the Lord would bless him with the ability to be able to make her eyes smile again. His heart ached when she tilted her pale face to look at him.

"I need to get you to bed. You need to sleep in order to heal."

His rough, commanding voice had never sounded so good to her ears. She was so tired that she couldn't even speak, nor nod her head, she just leaned heavily against him, and slowly breathed in his wonderful scent.

"Oh sweetheart, we have got to get you back to bed." He quickly stood and bent down to pick her up.

Raven closed her eyes, and didn't open them up again until she was being carefully placed inside his presidential limousine. Surprisingly she didn't care, she just wanted to stay in his arms. " _Drake?_ " Her voice so quiet, and devoid of strength.

Shifting her a little better on his lap, at the same time trying to position himself on his seat, Drake looked into her tired, pain filled eyes, "Yes, sweetheart?"

She shook her head and tucked her nose into his neck, "Never mind."

His throat tightened as he held his hand out to one of his detail agents who was already holding out her prescribed medicine bottle.

"Raven, you need to take this."

She looked, but didn't open her mouth, instead she laid her head back down against his chest, closing her eyes.

"Come on, your doctor ordered it. It doesn't make you any tougher not to. We already know that you are an amazingly strong woman, but you really need this right now. Maybe in a couple of days you won't as much, but right now, with being so fresh from your accident, and surgery you really should take it. Come on, sweetheart, don't make me beg. You are exhausted, and if I can relieve at least a few moments of your pain, I'm going to do it."

When she still didn't move, he pulled back slightly and raised her chin up, "Am I going to have to get Agent Knowles to assist you in taking it? Believe me, he knows things and techniques that will make your head spin."

Frowning, Raven shook her head and opened her mouth for the pill, then took the cup of Ginger Ale and drank. Once it was down, Drake moved his hand to her neck and affectionately held her to him. "Now sleep."

"Bully."

Laughing, Drake kissed her.

She only barely became aware of being moved out of the limo and carried inside. It was so relaxing and comforting to know that for the first time in a long time she didn't have to deal with anything other than sleep.

A sudden jarring had her groaning. She lifted her heavy eyelids in time to see them entering into a dark hallway. "Drake? Where are we?"

"We're on our way to put you to bed in our private little room."

"Oh, okay."

He chuckled, "I can only hope that you will always be this compliant with me."

She tenderly hit him, "I'm sleeping on the couch?"

"No, the couch makes out into a bed. I was afraid to tell you that morning when we were sitting on it. I thought that you would hit me." Laughing, he stopped and leaned in close to her ear. "Would you have?"

"Yes."

He rubbed his nose with hers, "Well, then I'm happy I didn't." Starting to walk again, he turned off into another hallway, "I think you will really be surprised by what else you will find in there. Like a gorgeous bathtub, in a kind of small bathroom. Then there is a small office for me, with all necessary communications. There is a refrigerator and freezer next to a small sink. The walls, ceiling and floor are all soundproof, fireproof, explosive proof, and all other proofs you can think of. And the best part is that only a select few know about it. Pretty much just the guys that escorted you there, and two more, their SAIC, and ASAIC. I walk in a different way than the one you were taken through, but what you probably didn't see was the two vault like doors before you even get close to the room. Just in case someone should wonder through past the private administration security center that you had seen. Each door is impenetrable, and completely secure with combinations. But don't worry there is also a special breaching of that in case something should go wrong, known only by me and Techy. And should we lose electricity, well it is backed up with solar power."

"So it is basically your private, exclusive bomb shelter."

"Yep. Yours and mine. I like to think of it as our private little getaway. It wastes too much government money traveling, and I have to do enough of it on business. I'm not about to have them pay for my vacations with manpower, plane fuel, and everything else that is required for me to be able to go somewhere, or walk down a street. And my family could also live and stay there for a very long period of time if we would have to for some unexplained reason. I can also run the government from my little command center in there."

"Wouldn't we run out of food?"

"Nope. I have that taken care of with my chef and a few agents. Special secret care is taken within that transaction, too."

"Where do you go for vacations with your children?"

"We stay home. It's a great vacation because we aren't spending government money and we're together. Which is really what vacations should be about. We play all sorts of things. And you know all about the luxuries in this big house, including the movie theater. There really is no reason to have to leave. We have a wonderful time. We've only been able to enjoy everything together on the weekend so far, but that is what we are planning to do for all of our family vacations while I'm in office. You know, I may be considered the anti-sociable president, but I'm basically here to lower our debt, and get the government back on track towards the foundational principles of God. I do appearances, but only when I deem them necessary. If the people don't like that then I guess they won't elect me again, but at least I will know that all I did glorified God, not man. I'm here to work to help improve the government and strengthen America, as well as attempting to strengthen our ties with Israel, and other countries. To put us back on the path God had designed us to be on, that is all."

Raven tenderly smiled, her finger caressed his neck as she again smelled his wonderful scent. "My dad would have highly approved of that. I can walk if you have my crutches."

"I don't think so, you're barely awake. And no, it's too far while your ribs are still cracked. I know those crutches can be brutal with hurt ribs. I've seen grown, muscular men not be able to hack that. This is also good exercise for me, and it gives me a chance to keep my arms around you, too. Here we are."

Carefully laying her down on the bed, Drake gave her an outfit to change into. "I think your leg may sweat too much with the cast on and jogging pants over it. So, here you go. Go ahead and change, I have to go take care of a few things." He caressed her chin, bringing his lips to briefly meet hers and then he stood and started walking to the door.

"How did you open that door without my hand?"

He smiled broadly, "I have to be able to get in here without you being out there with me, don't I?"

"Then that means you didn't need my hand last week?"

"I did. Because I chose for you to help me open the door."

She shook her head, "You can be really aggravating. Do you know that?"

He winked.

"Okay, this does not feel like an ordinary couch sofa."

Drake turned, smiling, "I have to take care of my sweetheart, don't I? Comfortable?"

"Definitely."

"Okay, change. I'll be back soon." He winked again, and walked out of the room, securely shutting the door behind him.

Half an hour later, Drake hesitated before opening the door, his hand slightly shook. Would she throw something at him, or would she glare at him and refuse to wear the outfit?

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Uh, nothing."

Zeak smiled, "Afraid of how she will be when you go in there?"

Drake sheepishly shrugged, "Possibly. I just..." He turned to face Zeak, someone that he had grown to really confide in. "The outfit." They had a lot in common, and Zeak had become more of Drake's 'physical lifeline' to reality while he was in this crazy part of his journey.

Zeak snickered, "I think it will be fine. But that was a pretty bold move after all she's been through with the service today, and with us this past week. However, I must say great job on how you handled the service, by the way. I could tell by her shocked expression that you had really amazed her in your show of respect for her. You put yourself and your administration's reputation on the line, and it isn't like it's over, once and done. I mean that is an ongoing thing."

Drake ran his hand through his hair, "It was the truth. I could do nothing less."

"Hey, enjoy this quality time with her, and don't worry about anything out here. Your mom is so excited that you two are finally together, and she is really enjoying her grandchildren. Which in turn is really giving their agents a break this time because the children are ecstatic about Raven being here. Don't worry, just walk in there and the Lord will give you strength to deal with whatever you have to deal with." Zeak patted him on the back, "Go on into the lioness's den." He laughed as Drake punched him. "Hey, if you need anything for your command center, or if White House Communications is having trouble with their hook up, or any other problems with it working, just holler and Techy will be right there."

"Yeah, I will." Before he lost his nerve, Drake opened the door and stepped in.

As the door closed behind him, his mouth softly fell open and he sighed. His heart raced as he quietly walked over to his sweetheart looking so peaceful in the presidential logo designed t-shirt and running shorts...sound asleep. Her hand suddenly reached out to where he would lay, patting around, searching. A cute frown furrowed her brow when she didn't touch him. His blood raced through his veins, as he placed his hand on hers and a delicate smile brightened her face. His knees grew weak, she really was finally his. He fell to his knees beside the bed, his hand warmly holding hers, praising and thanking the Lord for this beautiful blessing He had bestowed upon him.

# Chapter 10

Darkness swirled all around her, her attacker was straight ahead, but she couldn't see to shoot. Her body was glued to the ground, and all of her limbs were immobile. A voice spoke to her, "Fear is not from Me, _Trust Me_." Suddenly her father walked by looking at her smiling, his face was illuminated by a beautiful light. She tried to drop her weapon so she could run to him, but she couldn't. When he wouldn't stop, her voice cried out for him to wait for her. He shook his head no, and waved goodbye. She helplessly watched as he continued to walk away from her, his light getting dimmer and dimmer as he got farther away. Suddenly shots rang out, and she turned back to the darkness. The moment she did, burning pain seared through her, and her heart wrenched with fear as her body was ravaged with holes. She screamed for her dad to come and help her. She needed him, she couldn't make it without him. Her anguish was so deep that she started drowning in it. Her body became submerged in water and immediately it was caught up in a whirlpool. She couldn't breathe as her body began swirling, and swirling around. She fought with all she had left in her, desperately trying to right herself and swim to the top. But the more she fought, the more she tumbled. Finally, she just gave in. Her mind moved in time with the swirls, over and over, around and around. She would get glimpses of a light, but then would lose it again. From a distance she heard a voice calling to her, saying her name, but she just kept swirling. Strong arms suddenly reached down and pulled her out of the water. Immediately she fell against Drake, gasping for breath. She was finally safe.

"Raven? Honey? I'm here. It's alright." Carefully, Drake held her in his arms.

Choking on a sob, Raven slowly became alert. "You saved me. You saved me just in time. I love you, Drake. _I love you._ " Her sobs continued, as she clutched to him with all of her strength.

"Oh, sweetheart, I love you, too. Baby, I'm right here. Shhhh. Just hold onto me. The nightmare is over." Drake tenderly stroked her back, as his right hand held her head to him.

Minutes past before she was able to speak.

"I was drowning and you saved me." She pulled back and her bright eyes tenderly looked into his. She kissed his strong firm cheek that was hurt, she kissed his beautiful chin. She kissed his chocolate brown eyes. Her gaze locked with his, as her right hand moved to the back of his head, her fingers spread, grasping him, his soft hair swirling around her fingers. She pulled him down to her.

She kissed him with such passion that his heart stopped beating, he trembled and time stood still.

Drake held her head in the crook of his arm, laughing, and still so shook up, "Wow. Now that was a kiss. It beat both of my big ones. Would love a picture of that one."

Giggling she hit him. "What time is it?"

"It is only 4:00 p.m."

"I slept all morning and part of the afternoon?"

"Yes, and you will remain in bed for days. At least until your ribs are really starting to heal. You are only to get up to go to the bathroom. I don't want those crutches doing you in."

"I am still so tired."

"I'm sure you are. You had a really rough day yesterday, not to mention your surgery." His throat tightened. "I'm so sorry about that."

Her fingers reached to touch his mouth. She shook her head, "No, don't. It's over. I was the one running away from everything." She yawned. Her fingers grazed over his bandaged hand. "What happened to you?"

Drake grunted, "Well, let's just say that my buddies suddenly would not let me go with you to the hospital. So they pretty much manhandled me when I refused to accept it. Actually, I got in some pretty good jabs myself."

"How in the world does someone that likes to fight get into the White House?"

"It isn't that I like to fight, I'm just a former Special Forces guy." He shrugged, "You can take the guy out of that line of work, but it's still thick in his blood especially when he has seen war."

She smiled, "That's why you hang out with them."

"Yep. They keep me grounded. I kind of get stir crazy, or like an animal locked in a cage if I'm behind my desk for too long, or in meetings all of the time. I need physical activity and they are one of the only ones that really seem to understand that. My administration helps me out a lot, even my VP helps me out. They say that I get this look that comes across my face and they immediately know to get me out of there. Especially if I'm talking to a law maker or a dignitary that is really getting on my nerves."

"Have you always wanted to be the President?"

"No way. I've always just wanted to be in the military or in law enforcement. Hence my black belt in Karate. As I grew up, though, I found myself always debating or correcting the various politicians on their stands, and I always had to watch when politicians talked or debated on TV. In high school, I even got into a heated debate with my political science teacher and I actually came up with an idea that he encouraged me to send to our state senator. So I sent it to the office not thinking anything about it, and within months I found out that his office had started implementing it in their system, and it was successful. The few people that knew about it kept arguing with me that I needed to speak up because I should be the one getting the credit for it, but I never really cared about that. I just shrugged it off, but inside I had been so excited that it was working. The rush I felt was amazing. Politics became I guess like a hobby to me. Then through my military career every now and then something I would suggest would explode and workout. Today, I look back and know that it was the Lord the whole time preparing me for this position. I have been through so much with my walk with the Lord that I easily saw that there was no way I could take credit for those ideas, because He was behind them all. It's amazing because even during high school when I didn't fully recognize Him, His Spirit was keeping me from taking the credit, or even caring about that." Drake looked to the wall and his eyes glistened.

"He just opens my eyes so that I can see what He needs me to see in order to understand His direction and plans. Man to get to that stage, though, had been so painful. I mean not physically, but mentally and emotionally." Drake kissed her mouth, "But I would go through it all again for Him, because He has given me such peace. A peace and joy that never leaves me no matter what I deal with or encounter. It's hilarious though, because sometimes I will be talking to a dignitary or politician and immediately I will just look at them and ask them some off the wall question." Drake chuckled, "Even I am dumbfounded sometimes about what comes out of my mouth, but because I have gotten to my journey of complete obedience and I just so deeply know that it is from God, I say it or ask it. And every time something great comes from it. I have even had them crying in my office for help with personal problems. It's so powerful, and it makes me feel so humble for the Lord to use me like that. And God heals their ways once they repent. They are able to see it differently than before, and a few weeks later their staff and the work that comes from their office is radically changed." Drake rubbed his nose against the side of her face, "And I haven't been in office for a year yet. Hard to tell what will happen in the future. But I trust God completely. And those little circumstances that help those men or women, they also help me because it confirms and seems to strengthen that trust I have in the Lord. A reminder that I am here because He said it should be so, and I am actually doing my work for Him, not for this person or that person, but for God and His Divine Purpose for our country."

"Wow. My dad would love that. You know that night you found me at the training complex, and I told you that I no longer had God's peace in me? Well, I have it right now. The Holy Spirit reminded me earlier today that I had stopped praising Him during my struggles. One of the first things I did after the incident, and then when my father was killed, was to completely stop praising God." A tear fell, "I turned away, and it wasn't Him that turned from me. I turned from Him, and that meant that I couldn't hear Him as clearly anymore. My dad always tried to tell me that it was easy to praise Jesus during the good times, but it was harder, and so much more crucial to praise Him during the bad times. Today, I experienced that. I was so nervous, and frightened to go into my boss's office. And in the elevator the female Agent Hannah Davenport that was with me, told me something that I so desperately needed to hear. And immediately my heart made my lips praise Jesus, then just a few short minutes later before I walked into his office, I stopped and asked God to give me strength. And He gave me more than that. He gave me His peace. And I still have it, and I will do all I can to choose Him first and continue to praise Him no matter what so that I can keep receiving it. I know now that it was there all along, I was just putting up a blockage in front of receiving it. I was turning to the darkness, instead of praising Him and choosing Him to help me."

"Praise Jesus. I love you, sweetheart. I'm so happy for you." A tender smile crossed Drake's face.

"My father would have just loved you, and he definitely would have been so happy knowing you are the type of President you are. Putting God first in all things."

Drake smiled, and held her a little closer. He wanted to add to that, but the Lord held him back. It wasn't time yet. "You know, actually this position can be more exhilarating then the Special Forces one because the Lord surprises me at every turn. You can look at something, and think yeah, that has happened before, and it looks the same, the reaction is the same, the whole concept is exactly the same so we must do this. Then the Lord steps in and says no, do this. So, I do that and amazingly every time the crises is diverted or resolved. You can't trust what you know, you can't trust what you see, and you can't trust what others tell you, you can only truly trust your Savior. Only He knows all, and only the Holy Spirit can guide you correctly. To not be led by Him is only walking in darkness and seeing darkness. You must look to Him first in all things in order to be able to see the light and then through His Light you see how it really is. Only He can light our paths for us."

Her heart raced, that's it! How could she not have seen it before? Because she was too focused on her pain and loss, then she was on Jesus. "Drake, you're right! I was always depending on my dad to light my way, to tell me how to deal with something, or someone. I always depended on his light, instead of the source of the light, Jesus. My dad was trying to guide me to Jesus my whole life as he should. And he had, but I didn't complete it. Instead I was so caught up in clinging to him that I refused to fully cling to Jesus. _Praise Jesus!_ "

"Praise the Lord He has opened your eyes to that. You just got a Rhema word, sweetheart."

"A what?"

"A Rhema word. A word that is so holy. A scripture word, and it comes from the Lord and it speaks to you or your situation. It's amazing, suddenly you can see things clearly because you were at a place of submission to Him and you could then receive from Him. The Holy Spirit lovingly opened your eyes. Truly a treasured blessing."

"Just like some of the people that you have run across received."

"Exactly. Now, you need to eat. What are you hungry for?" He came around the bed and very carefully helped her into a sitting position, resting her leg on a pillow.

"I'm not really hungry. At least not for a meal, or anything big."

Drake knowingly smiled, "Then I have just the perfect thing for you. I'll be right back."

She could hear a refrigerator door opening, and wondered what he had in mind. A glee of delight squealed through her as he rounded the bed with what was unmistakably chocolate mousse. "I can't remember the last time I had some. Thank you, thank you."

Holding her bowl with a spoon just out of her reach, he leaned down, "Can I have a kiss?"

"Why sure. Just make sure you give me my mousse first."

"Oh, no. Kiss first."

Her eyes softly twinkling, she let him kiss her. "Now, can I have it?"

"Of course."

"Thank you." She took a bite, and her eyes closed in pure delight. The smooth chocolaty taste was all that she remembered, and then some. "Wow. This is so good."

Drake swallowed with some difficulty. She was so beautiful. "I will make sure I tell Ralph."

"Ralph?"

"My chef. He said he did make a mean mousse. In fact, he half looked insulted when I asked him if he could." Sitting down next to her, Drake smiled a lazy, handsome smile. His right hand very slowly moved around her waist, affectionately rubbing her bandages. His eyes slowly took in everything about her, from her neck all the way up and across her face, then they intently and leisurely traced her beautifully sculptured cheekbones back down to her soft lips. All the while his left hand stayed behind his back.

Drake's dark cloudy eyes sharply looked to hers, mesmerizing her gorgeous blue ones. He quickly looked away and she heard a spraying sound, then as he turned back to her, his right hand moved up the back of her neck and his lips commanded hers. Raven was so delightfully surprised when her taste buds began dancing with the tantalizing mix of his favorite dessert and hers.

Minutes later with her bowl and his whipped cream finished, Raven sighed, "That was the best dessert I have ever had. Your chef is brilliant."

Stretched out next to her, Drake's head shared her pillow, while his long legs angled off the bed, and his fingers lovingly intertwined with hers. "I told you our two favorite desserts were great together. Just as we are."

She nodded. She was positive that she would not be able to eat chocolate mousse ever again without remembering. And if they couldn't have a future together then she deeply knew that she wouldn't be able to eat it the rest of her life. A shocked sadness crept in.

If only she could learn to just enjoy what she had when she had it. Suddenly frustrated with herself, she pulled her hand away and awkwardly shifted to her side. Her ribs rebelled, causing tears to form, and she shoved her fist in her mouth to keep from crying out.

Hearing her grunt, Drake got off the bed and rushed to her side. "You hurt yourself. Why did you pull away?"

She couldn't speak, a painful moan broke out, and all she could do was shake her head no.

His phone rang and Drake violently looked to his small command center and then back to her. He was torn, his heart begged him to stay right where he was until she properly answered him, but his mind threw all types of possible dangerous problems that could be waiting on the line. Vocally expressing his dislike, he stormed over to the desk and grabbed up his phone. " _What!?_ "

Raven swiped at her tears, and blew out a sigh of relief, how could she tell him what she was thinking? She didn't want to be a simpering, wimpy leach that had to be reassured at every turn. But in her defense, she was still so unsure of what was expected of her, and where this relationship was going. It didn't help at all that she was so inexperienced in this area. They haven't even known each other for that long, and how would they date? She would have to be moving back home soon, she couldn't stay here. He had said he loved her, more than once even. But nowadays that didn't seem to mean as much as it should. It was sometimes just a phrase that so many people just threw around when they wanted to, or when it fit their purposes. He was the very first man she had ever said it to, and it meant so much to her. Her feelings ran so deep for him that it frightened her. Ever since Zeak had forced her to recognize her feelings this morning, she had been simply feeling like a fish out of water. And it was scary.

"I have to run upstairs." Drake was mad, his children had gone too far with trying to sneak out and find them. He had told them that it was so important for them to leave her alone and let her rest. They couldn't overwhelm her all at once, or he could risk losing her. His arm muscles bunched, and his jaw twitched with frustration. He tried desperately to hold back his temper, as he waited for the continued strength of the Lord to fill him, but he still could not soften the effects of it. Why now would he have to leave her? Growling, he pretty much slammed both of his fists on either side of her. His voice lowered, and he pronounced each word slowly, "I will be back. And when I am, I expect to hear from you exactly what happened in that gorgeous, bright blonde head of yours. Understood? I will not allow you to withdraw from me. Especially after we have just declared our love for each other." He narrowed his eyes, and leaned down, his lips pulled hers in and proceeded to give her the most startlingly devoted kiss ever.

A kiss that had her staring after him long after the door had closed. Her heart flipped within her chest and a warmness permeated her, they weren't just words to him either. _It meant something to him, too._

Over an hour later, Raven tossed and turned for the thirtieth time. She hurt so badly. Her leg and side felt like knives were stuck in them, and no position was comfortable. As if that wasn't enough, her head started to pound to the beat of the hurting drum as well. There was no way blissful sleep was coming, and she gave up trying. She would just have to take her medicine. Lying in bed, she visually searched around the room, but couldn't find any pill bottle. So she very carefully sat up in the bed and reached for her crutches. The pain made walking even harder. After ten stops to catch her breath during the short distance to the main door, Raven did what she saw Drake do. Her left fingertips glided across the hidden button on the outside of the door trim and the door swooshed open. However, hobbling through the doorway only added to her pain.

Gritting her teeth, Raven looked around the empty room, but a swift wave of dizziness assailed her and she was thrown off balance. Her crutches clamored to the floor, while her body followed. Desperately trying to not hit her leg or side, Raven completely forgot about her head. The moment her body slammed to the floor, more pain pounded through her headache as her head hit something hard. She felt warm liquid seep out and as the realization of her reopened wound started dawning on her, the room exploded with activity.

"Call Drake. Raven, honey, are you okay?" Zeak knelt down quickly checking her over.

"No." Her feeble response escaped from her tightly sealed lips. Her whole body was racked with excruciating pain. "I was just looking for my pain meds." She moved her head off the floor and Zeak hissed.

"Holmes! Get a rag, now. Buckner, call for Dr. Metzer." Quickly pressing a rag to her already bandaged forehead, Zeak began organizing two other men to carry her over to the couch.

Raven's pain rattled her voice as she covered her face. Her fingertips pressed down on her squinting eyes while she tried to breathe through the pain.

"Drake's on his way. So is Dr. Metzer. I told him to bring more stitches and he said to go ahead and give her a pain shot, if she hasn't had one in a while."

"Get the black box. Raven, when was the last time you took a pill?"

" _Morning in limo._ That...was...what...I...was...looking...for." She started coughing a little while the pain in her side intensified, and her stomach started to rebel.

"Raven, just breathe."

" _I am._ " Growling, Raven tightened her hand and arm muscles, keeping her fingers firmly pressed against her face trying desperately to quell it.

"Okay, don't talk."

"Throw up."

Her head was carefully held over the trash can just in time.

After Zeak gave her a shot he mused, "My sister is the same way when she gets hurt sometimes, her stomach rebels. I think when the doctor is done with you we are going to tie you to that bed in there. That way you don't shift any of your broken ribs in your journeys by either hurting them, or throwing up."

Raven grunted no.

"Don't worry, the medicine will work real soon. It's some quick stuff. That should calm your stomach more since the wave of pain will greatly lessen." His hand tenderly stroked her back.

Drake rushed into the room, and Zeak proceeded to give him a rundown of her 'painful pill hunting journey' that had brought her surprisingly outside of the room.

If Raven could have hit him over his amusing tone, she would have. She rested her head against Drake, she felt so clammy and dizzy. Putting down the trash can, Drake put a cold wash cloth to her face, delicately wiping it, while Zeak continued to hold the rag firmly against her head to stay the flow of blood.

"Here, Raven. Swish this around in your mouth, it will help." An agent she hadn't met yet, tilted the little cup up to her.

She opened her eyes and took the mouthwash. Her head wobbled as she spit it back out into the trash can. Her pain was finally dimming, and Drake moved her head to lay in his lap, while her body was very delicately stretched out on the couch, with a pillow to elevate her leg. Once settled, she opened her eyes wider and looked around, faces seemed to swim in front of her. She looked unsteadily to Zeak, and giggled, her words slurred a little, "Those safety moves we learn are not good for someone who is already injured because I busted my head open again. They need to work on those moves. Wow, what did you give me?"

His eyebrow arched, "What you needed. And you can talk to training about needing new moves. Those moves are actually to prevent you from getting injured _before_ you are injured. Now be quiet and rest."

"No. Drake?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" He leaned over her.

"Fire him." She tried pointing to him but he kept moving. "Stop it, stop moving."

Zeak laughed, "I'm not moving. You are. And he can't fire me, he needs me to deal with you."

"No. No, detail. No. You're fired." Her eyes adoringly raised to Drake's, "Right, my love?"

"Oh sure, now she plays it for all its worth." Affectionately, Zeak stuck his tongue out at her and looked up as Dr. Metzer raced in.

" _No._ You may be the Joint Chief of Staff, but you are overstepping your ground." Drake was furious. "I don't care how the previous men in your position have handled it, I said no. You have no business dealing with any of my personal matters, got it? I do not need you as a 'go between' for my personal issues. And for the last time, there is no scandal for you to do damage control on. It is my personal business, I will deal with it when it is time to deal with it." Running his fingers through his hair, Drake prayed for strength, while his 'gatekeeper' as they liked to call him talked incessantly about the media, the public, and the opinions. Having heard enough, Drake stormed on, " _I said cancel it!_ I don't care how it looks. I'm not here for looks. And I most certainly did not hire you to take care of making my personal business okay with public opinion. I don't need a personal gatekeeper, Jesus is all I need. As long as I do right in His eyes, then that is all that matters. He will validate me, and the Holy Spirit will balance me and keep me in check, _not you._ That way you are free to deal with government business only. And besides, if I am dumb enough to open myself and reputation up to a scandal than I had better darn well be man enough to repent, and deal with it publically myself." When Wratchford tried again to make suggestions to him, Drake's voice got deadly quiet, "Enough, Wratchford. It is over. Mark my word, if anyone dares to step up to that mic, including yourself, and tries to even attempt to speak on behalf of me about my personal life, they will be in the unemployment office by sundown." Grabbing the head set off his head he slammed it to the desk and covered his face.

Raven quietly hobbled over to Drake on crutches. She didn't know what was going on, but she could feel his anger, and all she wanted to do was comfort him. She stood in the doorway of his impressive little command center, he looked so dejected. She stepped closer, and rested her crutches against the edge of his desk. Using the furniture as leverage she was able to stand behind him. He flinched in shock as her hands gently massaged his tense neck and shoulders. A need to pray for him was so great within her that there was no question of not obeying. She spoke to Jesus, while her fingers adoringly eased each knot. There was such joy within her each time she felt a muscle relaxing. His head lolled back and she could surprisingly watch as the tension left him. Jesus had heard her prayer. A soft, warming sensation filled her chest as she continued to watch in awe as her answered prayer unfolded.

Big, firm, calloused hands that spoke more of physical labor, then pushing papers, grasped her hands as they worked on his neck for the umpteenth time, stopping her. "Sweetheart, thank you. But you need to get to bed. You shouldn't be up."

She gently bent down, but was unable to when her movement caused her ribs to steal her breath.

Standing, Drake carefully held onto her to keep her upright, then gave her crutches back to her. "Come on, get back to bed." His finger covered her mouth when she opened it to speak, "Don't think I didn't hear that. I did. Now come on. I would carry you, but I do not want to jar you anymore. Let's go."

"Meany," she whispered.

He chuckled, "I heard that. And yes, I am, when it comes to your health." Switching off the light to his office, Drake guided her back to the bed.

He wasn't satisfied until she was tucked in, and her leg was elevated. She watched him as he rounded the bed, and then gasped when he took his shirt off. A blush stole across her face and she quickly diverted her eyes.

He tiredly laughed. "Baby, I didn't have a shirt on earlier."

She shielded her eyes.

"You didn't have a problem snuggling up to me as you slept then, so why now? Eh?" His eyebrow raised, and he smirked as he weighed down the bed and she slightly moved away. "Hey, I don't like sleeping with shirts on. _Raven._ "

She shook her head.

" _Raven._ " He delicately sang her name. "Now, I know that you have seen many men with their shirts off before, especially in your line of work, so why can't I sleep without one?"

"Because..."

"Sweetheart. Hey," he firmly unshielded her eyes, "you have nothing to worry about. I would never put you in a position that would have you cheating on your first Love, your God, before marriage. I have way too much respect for you, myself, and above all, the Lord."

A look of shear amazement crossed her features. "How did you know?"

"How could I not know?"

She smiled and he delicately held her face in his hands. Her eyes fluttered closed as he kissed her goodnight.

Minutes later, she lay in his arms, still so amazed by him. Her eyes took in everything about their private room, as he held her. The beautiful twinkling lights dancing throughout their darkened room and the stark silence emphasized the seclusion of their hideaway. They were in their own world and it was so peaceful, she never wanted to leave. Her hand caressed his warm chest, while his hair tickled her nose. Unable to keep her eyes open any longer, she concentrated on his deep, even breaths. There was no better way to fall asleep, _thank you Jesus_.

# Chapter 11

Her days seemed to drift by. As each day passed, she didn't think she would be able to sleep anymore, but she always did. And every time she awoke her first thoughts were to see where Drake was. It seemed that he was always waiting for her to wake up so that he could feed her. Then they would read the Bible together and talk about what they had read. There had only been a few times, however, that she had awoken alone. But each time there was a note reminding her to stay put.

She leaned back in bed and sighed. In the past she would have never been able to sleep this much. The only other time had been during her mourning months, however this sleeping was so much more peaceful and restful. Grabbing the note again, Raven looked over his handwriting. She smiled, 'I love you' was scrawled at the bottom. Her fingertips traced his writing as a softness stole over her, filling her.

How would she ever be able to go back living without him? He had so effectively snuck in under her guard and seemed to fill every crevice of her life. Well, their time here had to end sometime. He was the President of the United States and he most definitely would not be able to live underground during this time. His small command center could only do so much. He had meetings he had to attend, and press conferences, not to mention public speeches. And not only that, he had a family that needed him.

A tear escaped, it would be so hard to say goodbye. She dreaded that day. Her heart ached just thinking of it. However, it would be better if she did leave soon because the more she was around him, the more she depended upon him, and the more she couldn't handle being completely apart from him. And she couldn't keep putting it off, she was a single woman with her own needs to take care of. And the more she thought about it, the more things there were to do. She still had not called about her lease yet, then there was the long drive home she would have to do, along with phoning her doctor and transferring her records, and scheduling a follow-up appointment for her ankle. Not to mention, her vehicle.

_Oh my_ , she had forgotten all about it. Her personal bags and clothes were in the closet with Drake's, but everything else she had just forgotten.

Without thinking anymore about it, Raven picked up her crutches and started heading to the door. Hobbling into the other room, she glanced around and didn't see anyone so she headed straight to the other door and tried to open it, but it wouldn't open. She looked for a lock, but the only thing she could find was a button on the side, so she pushed it. Lights and sirens started blaring off, she quickly tried pushing it again, but they continued. _Oh great, now she had done it!_ Raven tried to quickly back away from the door when she heard boots pounding down the outside corridor, but just as she got only a few feet away from it, six agents filed into the room, guns out. She turned in surprise, her hands quickly shot up, and the crutches fell. She wobbled slightly, but was still able to thankfully stay upright.

Zeak started laughing so hard he had trouble holstering his gun.

"It's not funny, Zeak."

Soon the whole room was holding their bellies laughing. Every now and then pointing at her.

Only slightly wincing, Raven was able to bend down and get her crutches. She continued to just stand there and wait for them to calm down.

"Raven, you should have seen your face! Ha ha ha ha."

"Yep, so funny, Zeak. So funny." Raven shook her head, and continued to wait. Until it dawned on her that the door was now wide open. Making her way to the door, Raven kept on hobbling. She got about twenty feet out of the room when Zeak angrily yelled at her to stop.

She yelled back as she kept on hobbling, "What? I can't hear you correctly. Are you ordering me to stop?"

"I said that you had better stop right there!"

The nerve of him! She shot around as fast as she could, "I am not a prisoner here. Why can't I leave?"

"Your detail is not ready. Nor do you have permission to leave." Zeak glared over at her.

"Permission!? Whose permission should I have? I am a grown woman with a lot of things to do. I have got to go. I have been in bed for far too many days now."

Blatantly ignoring her permission question, Zeak walked towards her, his arms crossed. "What do you have to do that you need to leave before you are even ready to leave?"

"How do you know when I am not 'ready' to leave?"

He tilted his head down, "Really?"

"Yes. And furthermore, I have doctors to call, appointments to make. I have to get my vehicle, or find it if you have moved it. Which I am sure you have. I have to contact my landlord about the lease I need out of it, and I have to drive all the way to my home in Illinois. And that is another property that needs dealt with. I can't continue to live in fantasyland here with Drake, _I can't_."

Zeak snorted, "Well, I can tell you that you are definitely not going to Illinois. And _furthermore_ , your doctors' follow-up appointments have already been made. Your landlord has already found someone to finish out your lease. Oh, and your vehicle, is safely parked at Lawrence's house."

Her eyes got huge, "How dare you say I am not going to Illinois? My ankle specialist is there. I have to go. And thank you for contacting my landlord, but tell Lawrence to meet me at the agent entrance with my vehicle. So thank you for your help in advance and tell Drake he can text me when he gets a chance on that high-tech batman phone, which I assume is from him." And with that, she quickly turned back around and started pretty much running on her crutches.

"You have a new ankle specialist here, and he is going to even travel from Baltimore to continue to see you, so you don't have to go to him. Raven. _Raven!_ If you dare go through that next door, I will not be held accountable for my actions. You are to report back to your room. Got that?"

"No, I don't ' _got that_.'" Shaking her head, Raven's jaw twitched and regardless of his warning, she continued forward through the next door which led down another long corridor. Wavering slightly, Raven forged on with gritted teeth. She could do this, she could. She had to get out of here. This was all just too much. How dare he even think that he could control her? She wasn't in the service anymore, nor had Drake gone public about them, so there really wasn't much more that could harm her. Her arms started aching, and exhaustion tried creeping in.

Lying in bed for days had really taken its toll on her body.

Facing another set of steps, Raven placed her crutches together under her right arm, then took a deep breath and went up them. She had just made it to the top when she heard boots behind her. Oh great, here comes the cavalry. Slightly surprised they had taken this long to chase after her, Raven picked it up a pace and was able to make it down another small hallway where there was no other outlet. Resting against the wall, she wiped her brow, she was lost. She should have thought this thing through, she had never seen where Drake had been going, nor had she seen the other time when the agents had escorted her there. Oh, why did she think that she could find her way? It just seemed like an endless set of dark and creepy hallways.

Carefully, she sat down on the floor, then laid down. They could just shoot her, step on her, carry her, or bury her, right now she really did not care. All sorts of noises, and boots running actually seemed to be coming from everywhere now. She giggled a tiresome giggle that was void of any energy, they apparently weren't even on her trail as she had thought. These long, endless hallways echoed. They must have picked the opposite doors to the random ones she had gone through. Maybe in a few minutes she would get her energy back. Tenderly rolling onto her side to try and get comfortable, she closed her eyes. Why did she have to get herself into these crazy situations?

Because she was stubborn that's why!

She prayed that someone would find her, Drake's handsomely rugged face came to mind. Well, maybe not _just someone_. A slight smiled touched her lips, he would do nicely.

Drake stormed into the hallway, and the agents standing around quickly moved out of his way when they saw his very stern expression. Eight hours of intense meetings and briefings, another hour of an appallingly long interrogating news conference where the media was more interested in asking him more personal questions regarding his woman and her alleged past in working as a Secret Service agent then they were about the main purpose for the press conference. His throat felt raw from all of the continuous replies of, 'Please, no personal questions at this time. This conference was solely called on behalf of the Justice Department and what they are facing. I will only be answering questions regarding that.'

Drake stormed through the last few agents and abruptly stopped.

Curled on her side, an innocent smile touching her lips, Raven was sound asleep in the middle of a hallway. An unexpectedly sweet emotion squeezed his heart. No wonder the agents said they just could not wake her. _Oh man, he was definitely a goner._ He placed his hands on his hips, maybe he could just keep her locked up in that room until his administration was completely over. Because there was no way he could stand around and let them interrogate her in the way they had just him, nor could he allow them to diminish her beautiful character all because they had no idea what was going on, but yet wanted a story.

"Do you see what we mean?"

"Yeah. I see what you mean."

"She was determined to leave. She said she had a lot to get done and had to drive home to Illinois."

Lawrence chuckled, "She wouldn't have even made it past putting on her seatbelt."

"No. She wouldn't have." Frowning, Drake knelt down, and lifted her hair off her forehead. "Raven, sweetheart. Wake up." He delicately stroked her cheek.

Moaning, Raven slowly lifted her eyes open and was shocked to see Drake kneeling in front of her and a whole group of CAT guys looking down on her. "What? What's going on?"

"Nothing. You fell asleep right here in the hallway."

His tired, frustrated voice put her on edge. Puzzlement creased her brow as she looked around. "Oh, yeah. Sorry. Okay, I better get going again."

Carefully helping her to her feet, Drake immediately handed over her crutches to the guy in the group who stood the farthest from her. She reached out for them, but they all shook their heads no.

"Burn them."

"What? No. I need them. _Drake!_ "

Taking her arm, he guided her back to the wall and held her there. "Where do you think you are going? Back to bed? Yes. Anywhere else? No." That said, Drake lifted her up into his arms and told Zeak to call Techy to get both doors reset, including the opening from inside the room so that she couldn't open it up again.

Drake blew out a breath, he was way too tired to have to deal with this happening again.

"Are you keeping me prisoner here?"

"Yep."

"What? No you're not."

"Okay. Then I'm not."

"Thank you." Looking over his shoulder, Raven tried to get a glimpse of her crutches, but the guy was gone. "Okay, I'm not fooled. There is no way he will burn them, right? And furthermore, guess what? I just remembered, they are metal." She smiled brightly.

Drake ignored her and kept walking. She questioningly looked up at him, ready to yell at him, but then she saw how tired and angry he really looked. His eyes were heavy, his jaw twitched. He quickly moved his eyes to look at her, and then they looked straight ahead again.

"Have you been gone all day?"

"Yes."

"What time is it?"

"Bedtime."

"No, seriously, what time is it?"

"Time to stop asking questions. I have had way too much of them today and I am in no mood to deal with more." His eyes quickly shifted to her again, then just as quickly looked straight ahead.

She rested her head against his shoulder, and started to run her fingers through the back of his hair. She would just wait until he was in a better mood to press for more information, and to remind him that she had to leave. Wait a minute was that the look he had told her about?

"Hey, okay, I won't ask a question, but I bet you that was the 'look' you told me about. Zeak. _Zeak!_ " Her face looked to the front of the group.

"Yes?" He turned, his eyebrow raised.

"Okay look over here at Drake. Is that the look in his eye that says he needs to beat someone up, or beat himself up, or whatever horrifyingly crazy fighting things you all do in that gym of yours?"

Drake almost dropped her. He slammed his body against the wall, as he tried to let her down gently. Agents all around her started laughing.

Concern screamed through her, was he passing out? As soon as her foot was on the floor she grabbed his face to make sure he was alright, but he was bent over holding his belly. "Drake? Are you alright?" Dread painfully washed through her. "Are you hurt?"

He just kept shaking his head no. His body started jerking and he turned his head to the wall. Then he couldn't contain it any longer laughter as never before rushed out of him. He laughed so hard tears streamed down his face, and he fell to the floor.

Appalled, Raven jammed her hands to her waist. Whatever was so funny, she just did not get it. Looking down both directions she saw the agents were having the same trouble, especially Zeak, who looked like he was a red tomato.

Now what was she supposed to do? Out of the corner of her eye she spotted her crutches. While they were totally unaware of her, she held onto the side of the wall that had less men against it and hobbled down to get them. Within record time she was making her own way down the hallway, it was tricky, but she managed to get past them all without soundly whacking them upside the head. _Men!_

Remembering that she had come up stairs the first time, she made an immediate right to go back down them. Then at the bottom of the stairs, she stopped completely unsure of which way to go. She started hearing boots clamoring across the floor. Finally, they're up again. Shaking her head she immediately picked the door to the left, but it was locked.

"Raven!" Drake's voice yelled after her.

"What?"

"Stay right where you are!"

"I am. I don't know which way to go, now."

He flew down the stairs and slid to a stop. The sharpness of his features softened as he saw her. "I'm sorry. I didn't, I couldn't..." He started laughing again.

"Okay, so I really don't understand, but I would like to get out of this hallway. I think I've been here practically all day."

"Sure. You are just too funny. I haven't laughed that hard in so long."

She leaned against the wall, trying to get strength to continue as the other men started filing into their little section of the hallway. "Well, I must not be too funny, because I sure did not crack myself up."

They all chuckled. Drake walked up to her lifting up her chin, "We work out in that gym, that's all."

"Well, I guess I just haven't been there enough times to know that. You've just been so aggressive whenever I did see you in there. And I sure have never worked out like that before in my life. That's crazy."

"Hey, you didn't see me like that the last time we were there. Well, not until after you ran away, though."

"Yeah, well, the first time, believe me I got an eyeful. And I might add that when you do go today, this time it won't be my fault! I've been in prison for a few weeks and haven't caused any trouble. Well, other than re-banging my head, and getting lost."

Turning, she tried to leave, but he stole her crutches from her. Picking her up, he growled, "You are not in prison, and I will carry you."

"Just don't almost drop me again." Resting her head on his shoulder, she playfully hit him across his chest when he started chuckling.

"Then you better keep that gorgeous mouth of yours quiet so you don't say anything funny again. And yes, baby, it was 'the look.'"

"I thought so. Boy, it's intimidating, superbly handsome, but intimidating. Well, we better go the other way because you better get to that gym before you let loose and have to apologize to a lot of people."

"I have to change first. And you need to put on a jogging suit."

"Raven, put on the black one you bought a while back, during that one weekend you snuck away. That will work perfectly for sneaking you back in and out of here." Lawrence stated matter-of-factly.

Raven lifted her head, her eyebrows drew together, " _What?_ "

"You know, the solid black one. I was hoping you wouldn't pick the blue one you were eyeing. It was way too bright, right Miller?"

"Yeah. Or that yellow one. Boy, no hiding that one." Miller snorted.

"I didn't see those other ones, but when she walked back into room 407 at the Marriott, I could hardly see her in the dead of night. So she made a perfect choice." Techy chuckled.

"You knew where I was?" _Unbelievable!_ She had been so watchful, never once had she seen them, and she had even been looking for them.

"Of course. It's our business to know." Lawrence shrugged and started to walk over to the couch to sit down.

"Did you know?" Her eyes searched Drake's.

He leaned his head against hers, "Yes. I had to know you were safe."

She sadly nodded, "But it was awful. I had nightmares all weekend, and I didn't sleep much at all."

"I'm sorry." He nuzzled her neck. Carrying her over to the bed, he set her down, then immediately went to his knees. His arms went around her waist on both sides, then he rested his head on her lap.

Raven's heart melted. She tenderly stroked the side of his face and hair. "Rough day, eh?"

"Yeah."

"Did you remember our Bible verse we read last night? About God giving you His strength in your time of need?"

"Yep. And He wonderfully did, each and every time."

"Isn't it amazing how He does give us what we have need of, even before we need it?" Amazement colored her voice, and she continued to stroke his neck and back. "Why I waited so long to really see it, I'll never know. But now I know I will never go back to not searching for Him, to not learning about Him. To not talking to Him. Wow, these days have been so wonderful in getting to know Him all over again. As soon as you told me I should desire to hear Him how I need to hear Him, and how He is talking to me, not how I want to hear Him, I can't explain it but something drastically changed. He has healed my barrier I had up. Thank you for guiding me back to Him, and teaching me to abide in His Word. I see now how He was strongly trying to let me know that I wasn't alone during those months of mourning. I can see it so easily now, the Holy Spirit had comforted me. I just was wanting Him to do it in a specific way, and when I didn't get it, I rebelled more. How precious it is that He forgives us. He is so wonderful. I just feel so ' _not lost'_ anymore. You have shown me how His Holy Word comes to life. I can't wait to continue to get to know Him even more. Thank you so much for that Drake. I love you."

Drake nodded. "You're welcome, and I love you, too. Just remember that whatever happens, as long as you are clinging to Jesus you will be alright. When you live your life by first seeing Him, first hearing from Him, and first going or giving to Him then that is the only way to live because He is our light, and you will always experience His victory. No matter what you are facing, or dealing with. But looking first to your problem, illness, or anything else that isn't Him, is to look into the darkness first. And, of course, there is no light to guide your path in that direction. And His victory, isn't what we would think, or should think it is. It is His victory and it is much better than anything we could imagine even if we aren't physically healed on earth. Healing is His children's bread, and we are always healed because His victory is eternal." His arms hugged her, and his eyes drifted shut. Within minutes he was lightly snoring.

He looked so precious sleeping on her lap, the tiredness in his voice had been so pronounced. Her heart quickened, _oh how she loved this man_. Continuing to lovingly caress him, Raven praised Jesus for him.

# Chapter 12

Two and a-half hours later, a sweaty Drake tried drying his face off on her sweatshirt.

"Stop it." Laughing, she threw his towel at him. "You look much better."

He winked. "I feel it." Placing his hands on either side of her chair, he leaned in close, "Thank you for letting me sleep on your lap. I sure needed that little catnap."

"You're welcome. And yes, you did."

His eyes held hers, as he leaned in to kiss her. "How about an ice cream on the way home?"

"That sounds good." She kissed him back.

"I'll be right back. I've got to take a shower." Kissing her again, he lifted up and walked off towards the locker room.

"Have one for me. I'm getting tired of the sponge baths."

He waved his towel in the air, "I'll think of you." He chuckled.

Shaking her head, Raven leaned back. _Home._ Her chest tingled, but then her stomach dropped. _The White House?_ What was she getting herself into? A wave of panic rushed over her, _Jesus, help me. I can't stay. I can't._ His children needed him, and she didn't belong there. She couldn't continue to stay there, she had to return to her home. Her mind scrambled through possibilities to make it work. Maybe they could date long distance and no one would ever have to know. Then when his term was over they could see each other again. That was of course if he would wait for her, but what if he got reelected? She felt sick, more years without him. She had no choice, the sooner she left the better.

"Raven? Are you alright? You look pale." Drake knelt in front of her, his finger traced her cheekbone.

She shook her head, her hand tucked a wet, loose curl behind his nape. "I have to go."

"Okay, we'll leave right now to go home." He quickly stood and yelled for Zeak.

She tugged on his arm, "No, Drake. I have to go back to _my home_. We can't keep living like this. It's a fantasy world, and I can't keep going on like this, you can't. Your kids need you."

He froze, his eyes looked at her strangely for a moment. "Sure." He turned, and walked away.

Raven's heart broke. _Was that it?_ ' _Sure.'_ He began a conversation with Zeak, who just nodded, and took off towards the other guys coming out of the locker room. Drake never walked back over to her, he stayed in the corner against the wall by the door. She looked her fill of him. His eyes were closed, and his leg was bent with his shoe flat against the wall. His strong masculinity, along with his comfort, strength, and peace he had shared with her, beckoned to her. Another tear fell. He had guided her back on her path with Jesus.

The last time she had her nightmare came to mind, when Drake had saved her. Her heart clenched, and she bit back a sob. Drake had pulled her out and righted her when she had been so very lost. _Jesus, help me!_ Blindly reaching for her crutches, she hobbled into the bathroom, and slid to the floor. Her soft sobs crying out over the unfairness of it all.

Minutes later she bent over the sink, pouring cold water over her face. She was stronger now, and she would be okay. _Thanks to him._ He had helped her so much. She wouldn't cling to him, she wouldn't beg him to call her, she would be strong and say goodbye. If he would call her, then great, they would talk. But if he didn't, well, then Jesus was just going to have to carry her through that.

"Raven. Time to leave."

Zeak. _Not Drake._ Hurt pierced her heart, and she turned the water off. "Coming."

She looked to the floor as she walked, she didn't look up, nor around, she just looked to the floor and followed. Arriving at the SUV, she saw that Drake had already been sitting in the far backseat waiting for them, she had studied the floor for nothing. Drake didn't even look at her. A sudden burst of anger mixed with hurt sliced through her. She quietly sat in the seat directly in front of him, her arms crossed. It would be much, much easier to say goodbye now. She fumed the whole way through town, across the highway, and back through the city. She watched as they made their way through a residential area, and she suddenly remembered those townhouses too well. That morning she had awoken to find herself shockingly in bed with Drake seemed like so long ago. _POTUS_ , had been laying right next to her then _._ How funny, that name just didn't fit him anymore. Arriving at Lawrence's house she saw her small blue truck waiting on her. As the doors opened, she got out and Lawrence unlocked her truck for her. She never looked back to Drake.

"Here are your keys. Your purse is already in the truck, I guess we'll mail your clothes and things to you."

Raven leaned to put her crutches in the other seat. "Don't bother. Save some money and donate them. I have more at home. Thank you, and your friends, for everything."

Sliding in behind her steering wheel, she shut her door and locked it. Then she placed her key into the ignition, but she couldn't start it, her hand wouldn't turn. Tears ran down her cheeks, her vision swam, and her heart clenched in pain. A knock sounded on her window, but she ignored it. Raven leaned her head against the steering wheel and sobbed. A moment later, a crash sounded on her hood causing her to jerk her head up. Her tear filled eyes lifted and found Drake's face staring at her from across her hood. His arms were spread wide, grasping her truck, his eyes narrowed. In the reflection of the nearby light she could see his muscles twitching, and his jaw locked.

Without thinking she poured her heart out to him through the window, "I can't leave you. I can't. I love you. Don't you understand? _I love you!_ " Choking on a sob, Raven threw her keys across her dashboard. " _Why? Why can't I just leave?_ "

A fist sharply pounded on her hood to get her attention. She looked to him, and he pointed to her, " _You_ will stay on _one_ final condition."

She nodded.

"You marry me." He glared his intent. It wasn't a question, it was a command. He pointed at her and then himself. "And soon, very, very soon."

_Marry?_ She couldn't, she couldn't be...she shook her head no, but her voice cried out to him, "I just want you. I need you, Drake. _Please._ "

"Say yes, Raven. You can have me, if you marry me." His fingers gripped her truck in a death grip, his eyes never wavered.

Her door was unlocked and then opened, but Drake stayed right where he was, waiting.

"Say, it, Raven. Come on, your ribs ache, and I'm sure your leg aches. You need to come home." Zeak softly spoke to her. "He desperately needs you. Just look at him, he's about to lose it."

"I-I can't be a First Lady."

" _You will be my wife._ Now, say it."

Her heart ached so badly for him, and her head slowly nodded.

"Finally." Zeak clapped his hands and quickly moved away from the door while Drake ran towards her. "Drake, we've got to get the two of you out of here. I'll get the crutches."

Drake nodded, he quickly picked her up and then ran to their vehicle. As they sat in their seats, the doors closed and the SUV went into an uproar of whooping and hollering. Drake grabbed her neck and brought her lips up to meet his in a passionate seal of their promise to each other. He kissed down to her ear, "I love you, so much, my Bride-to-be. Soon, so very soon. I'm thinking this weekend, I can't wait much longer." He kissed her again.

A few minutes later, her tears of joy thoroughly wiped and kissed, Raven rested her head on his shoulder, "You were letting me go. You didn't even talk to me."

Drake vehemently shook his head, "I couldn't talk. All I could do was pray. And no, there is no way you would have left the driveway. Believe me, I saw to that. Look," he pointed to Lawrence, "Hey Lawrence hold it up now."

She looked and Lawrence turned on the interior light and dangled a cable from his hand.

"Your truck would never have started without that. Do you really think that I would have let you go after all we've been through together?"

Her mouth dropped open. "This was all planned?"

"Well, come on, think about it Raven, do you really think we would have allowed Drake to jump in front of your truck and hold onto it like that if it could start? Do you really think we are that nuts? That would be a great one to try and explain on a report why Drake would be in the hospital on our watch because he wouldn't let go of a truck driving away."

She couldn't help but smile.

Drake tenderly held her closer to him, lifting her face. He leaned in towards her ear, "I'm so sorry I put you through that, I just had to do something for you to make a choice. We had to move forward together, and I knew you couldn't see past the position you would be called to hold. I didn't want another episode like we had today with you trying to leave, and I instinctively knew that you would keep trying to leave unless you finally admitted that you loved me more than all of the uncertainties you will have to face. Sweetheart, I could never let you go. Believe me, I would have followed you, and followed you. And then these guys would have tailed you for years. You would have been haunted by me every day until you gave in. I mean, you already have your own detail. That should have clued you in that I was keeping you."

"So much has happened so quickly, and I became so unsure. I'm so used to my life being mapped out. I tried to enjoy being with you, and getting to know you day by day, but doubt crept in. And then panic. But you're right, I did need that to happen because now I know within myself that I truly can't leave you. It was awful, I just couldn't physically drive away from you, and my hand wouldn't even turn the key. And you know, as we arrived here it hit me so strongly that I don't first see the stumbling block I once had with you as the President. Instead I see _my Drake._ "

"Good, then maybe I won't be referred to as _'he'_ anymore. That used to really burn me up. And you will be _my wife_. I will support you in whatever you would like to do. So no pressure whatsoever and we will take it day by day, okay?"

"Yes, my Groom-to-be."

# Chapter 13

Raven fingered her long hair so the waves would cascade down her back. Satisfied, she turned off her bathroom light and limped over to the couch where she sat down to wait for Drake to arrive. She felt so nervous. Tomorrow they would be married, but tonight he had said he wanted to make it extra special for her. She looked down at her beautiful, soft silky blue gown that had been lying on the bed this morning when she woke up. It felt even better than it looked. As she brushed her hand across it her ring glistened in the lights. Raven smiled, her beautiful ruby and diamond ring that formed a perfect heart with the ruby being the center. It matched all of the flower bunches that he had given her. A tenderness swept over her, she'll never forget the night he had explained why. White roses signifying the righteousness of God, which is our path with Jesus, and that surrounds the root of all things, the red rose, which is God's powerful love for us.

Where had the last two weeks gone? Drake was upset when he found out that he couldn't marry her with a marriage license by that weekend. But Raven was so glad that it had worked out that way because her ribs felt so much better now, and thankfully her doctor had switched her to a walking cast the other day. However, Drake still said that he insisted on carrying her down the aisle. It was supposed to be a small wedding, but she was still unsure about that. His mom seemed to always effectively change the subject each time they made sure she was still only planning to have their small family, along with their protection details there.

Raven took a deep breath, tomorrow she would be a mom. She still couldn't picture herself being a mom, but it was so touching how Jake and Maddie couldn't wait for her to be theirs. Her mom had left when she was small, so she didn't really have any experience in having a mom.

The door opened, and she looked up. Her heart flipped in her chest. He was so handsome, his hair was freshly washed, and his eyes sparkled with love. His cheekbones so strong, he wore a black power suit. And an open silk shirt the exact same color as her dress, and she was sure the exact same fabric, too.

She stood, her hands shaking.

"You look so beautiful."

She giggled, "That should be my line."

"Nope. Mine." He leaned against the wall, "You take my breath away." He casually stood and strode over to her. His fingers traced her hair, while he looked his fill of her in that beautiful dress. "It makes your eyes bluer." And it fit her so perfectly. His eyes held hers captive while his hand delicately traced her neck, lifting her chin he moved forward, his lips sealing hers. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Her stomach dropped with excitement.

His lips moved to her ear, "Tonight you are my fiancee. But tomorrow," he gently nibbled on her lobe. "You will be my wife, Mrs. Drake Hawk."

"Yep, that sounds pretty good." Giggling, she kissed him.

"Time to go." Lifting her, Drake walked out to the waiting agents.

"I can walk, or take the wheelchair like I've been doing when you aren't here."

"No. I like to carry you. It's a great workout."

"Wait until she's pregnant. That will really be a workout."

" _Zeak!_ " Drake looked to him in surprise.

Raven blushed and hid her face in his chest.

"Sorry, ma'am. I guess Lawrence rubbed off on me a little." Laughing, the agents led the way.

"Hey, why do I always get blamed for that?"

"Because you never watch what you say."

"That's because I get more pleasure watching the people's reactions to what I say, instead of the words. Words are boring to watch. For instance..."

"Enough, Lawrence."

"Yes, Zeak."

Raven shook her head, "And it begins."

Drake chuckled, "Yep, wouldn't have it any other way."

"Me neither." She smiled and snuggled against him. Whispering, she couldn't help but add, "I missed you, today."

"I missed you, too. But I had a lot to get done before tonight, tomorrow and our honeymoon."

"Were you able to?"

"Yes."

"Praise Jesus. I was praying you would."

"Thank you. Your prayers were answered. You are my perfect helpmate because you are always lifting me up in prayer."

She lifted her head and tilted it, smiling at him so tenderly that his breath caught.

He looked even more masculine, if that was possible, in the candlelight as he watched her finish her chocolate mousse and whipped cream. She blushed.

"I was waiting for that look, so you do remember?"

She endearingly tilted her head, "How could I forget? You didn't finish yours."

His eyes glinted, "I'm saving up my appetite."

"For when?"

"Tomorrow night. The beginning of our honeymoon."

He pointed to her empty dessert bowl, to her, and then to himself.

Her mouth dropped open, and before she could close it, he rounded the table and took her into his arms. His lips lingered at her ear, "You know I would take you anywhere you would want to go. Are you sure you don't want to go away?"

She shook her head, "I can't think of a better place to be then in our special hideaway room."

"Okay, the plan is all set. I will halt it though if you change your mind."

"I won't."

While he led her off of the secluded yacht, Raven looked up to him, "Thank you for this wonderful evening. It was so nice eating on the boat, with the water moving."

"I'm glad, and tonight isn't over yet. And you better not say _boat_ too loudly, my friend would get pretty mad to hear his yacht being called a mere boat." Chuckling, Drake carried her down the dock to his waiting limousine. He motioned for his PPD agents to stay outside as he placed her inside to sit across from him. After shutting the door, he leaned forward with his forearms resting on his knees, then gingerly held her left hand in both of his.

"Raven. I want to share something with you that is so very dear to me. Before you become my wife, I need you to hear my story."

Unsure, Raven looked directly at him, "Okay."

He affectionately smiled, "No, sweetheart. Everything is alright. Nothing will stop you from becoming my wife. I just really need to tell you about something that is so precious to me. And I know, you need to hear this, too."

Her right hand encouragingly rubbed over both of his as he held hers. "Go ahead, I'm listening."

He let out his breath. "I have not always been a Christian as I am now. I grew up in the church, and believed, but that is pretty much where it stopped. I didn't have a personal relationship with Jesus. I was married, as you know and she died. Soon after we were married, I was deployed and gone a lot. After she had Maddie, something really seemed to change in her. I mean there had been rumors, but I just shrugged them off. My wife and I were never really close. We, I don't know, it was just different. I think we just got married because it seemed like the next logical thing to do at the time. I wasn't _in love_ with her, and she wasn't truly _in love_ with me, as I soon found out. Well, I had been in the Special Forces and was gone more and more. Each time I came home she was colder to me, and so likewise I ignored her. Only enjoying my time with my kids. After a while there were rumors, and then one day I showed up at home and she was in bed with someone else while my little girl was asleep in her crib down the hall. That someone had been my boss, who just so happened to be married as well."

Raven's chest tightened, and she quickly pulled his face towards hers, "You don't have to explain."

Smiling, Drake drew back, "Yes, I have to finish my story. Don't worry it has a beautiful ending. _You._ "

"Okay."

"Anyway, I was called up for overseas the next day. Amazingly, and only by the Grace of God, as I now see it, I was able to push what had happened out of my mind to deal with the urgency of our mission. Once it was taken care of, my team had to stay there for an extra two weeks. But, during that time, I was notified that my wife had died in a car accident. Thankfully our children had not been with her. My parents had already picked them up and they were staying with them. They flew me home, but I immediately went to her parents, and told them what had happened before I was deployed. I said that they should be the ones to bury her, not me. I explained that I would be there, and would not disclose this information to anyone, but that would be all. So they did, and afterwards, I went to my parents' house and spent my time trying to help my children heal from losing their mom. I used up the leave I had stored, and a few months went by and duty called me overseas again. This time to an Air Force base in the Middle East. At this point, I guess you could say I was bitter. Well, I was definitely lost, but I sure thought I had it all together. I really didn't know I was lost. I mean, I went out with the guys, drank, and pretty much was an idiot. Then one day, I walked into the officer's club for a drink and this man was sitting by the door and he tapped me on the shoulder. He said that he wanted to have a word with me. I shrugged and said sure. I asked him if I could buy him a drink and his response floored me. He said, 'Are you kidding? What if Jesus came back and I was drunk? Talk about being caught with your pants down. No thank you. Oh, but you go ahead if you have to, I guess.' Now, how could I take a drink after that comment?" Drake laughed.

"So I just followed him to a table. Little did I realize how far that one small talk would lead me. I owe my presidency to him. You see, he straight out asked me, 'Well, do you believe in Jesus? I think you do. I've been watching you, and I need to tell you something.' He leaned into me and put his arm around me, 'Jesus loves you. He hears your pain, He has been trying to heal you and lead you back to Him. It isn't your fault your wife died, nor should you feel guilty about it. It was just a consequence of a bad free-will decision. Now, stop running from whatever has happened in the past and get over it because once you repent, it is over and washed clean by the precious Blood of the Lamb, Jesus. You can't find Jesus over there.' He pointed to the bar. 'You can only find him in the one place you are afraid to search.' He pointed his finger right into my gut. 'Jesus is calling for you to come in unto Him, worship Him, and stop running.' With that he got up and walked out the door. I sat there for hours contemplating on what he said. I was so shocked, I think I went through every form of emotion one can go through. I finally left and found myself right inside the chapel on my knees. With tears streaming down my face, I left everything about my past at that altar. I got up a new man. The moment I stood up, I turned and there he was again. He hugged me like the lost prodigal son. He whooped and hollered right there in the church. Praising Jesus over me."

A tender smile crossed Raven's face. "He would have gotten along with my dad. He was like that, too. So passionate about Christ, he was always so refreshing."

"Well, that started a friendship that was so very dear to me. That one man led me back on the correct path, the only way to truly live, in Jesus. I was healed spiritually, emotionally, and all around. I started following my Savior, instead of myself and others. I never knew how powerful of a relationship you could have with Jesus until I allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me towards it. You know, there were times when we would be talking, and I just knew he was relaying information from the Holy Spirit. Things started changing really fast for me, the ideas I told you about that were always running through my mind in High School. Well, it was like a dam broke forth and all of a sudden I was refreshed with new ideas. That man encouraged me to go to the top. I'll never forget a few years later, we were just talking about Jesus and out of nowhere he looked straight at me, then pointed his finger at me and said with conviction, 'My boy, you will be our President one day. And you will always put Jesus first, what a wonderful sight it will be to see!'"

"You loved him like a father, didn't you?"

"Yes, indeed. He changed my life, he saved me by putting my life back on Jesus' path, the only way, truth, and life. I had been so lost." Drake smiled, "And now, I would like to take you to him." He knocked on the window three times.

"I would love to meet him." She let him pull her across to him.

She sat down next to him on the seat, and then he tucked her face into his neck. The agents filtered in, and she closed her eyes as he silently rubbed her neck. After a few minutes they were on the highway, and her eyes absorbed the reflection of the flashing red, blue and white lights against the pavements and walls of the interstate. A fragile smile lifted her mouth. They were no longer just routine working motorcade lights, nor loud sirens annoyingly stopping traffic from entering the freeway upsetting people's work days, or nights. Her right hand splayed behind his neck and her fingers hid under his hair, their lips silently met. Those lights were protecting her love from danger, and they were so beautiful.

When the sirens stopped, and they slowed down, Raven lifted her head, but Drake stopped her. "Close your eyes. It's a surprise."

"Okay." She continued to listen to the agents communicating their arrival and movement.

"I'll tell you when to open them." His hand held her head to his chest.

She could tell the road was curvy and hilly. She kept her eyes closed when she heard the agents on the radio send an all clear, and felt the agents leave the car. Drake's door opened and he reminded her to keep them closed as he got out. Carefully he helped Raven out and immediately picked her up. "Keep those eyes closed."

"I am." She was so tempted to look, so she hid her face in his chest to keep from looking.

A few yards and he stopped, took a deep breath and whispered, "Keep them closed as I set you down."

"Okay."

He turned her around, so that she would lean her back against his chest. His hands tenderly revealed her neck and as he kissed her there, his arms went protectively around her waist. "Now, look straight down."

Her heart dropped. Tears pushed against her eyes, and her hands shook. Her dad's grave stood so tall and brave, a candle burned right in front of it. She gulped back a sob.

"Your dad was so special to me. I love him and miss him every day. So much." Guiding her, he helped her to sit down on an already laid blanket, he sat directly behind her. His arms stayed around her. "I used to go visit him, and he would talk about you and his face would light up every time. One day I walked in and before I even sat down, I couldn't help myself, I walked right over to a freshly framed photograph of you. It was the first time I had ever seen you. You mesmerized me. Your eyes were so full of joy, the Lord's joy, and you were playfully trying to cover up your face so the picture couldn't be taken. That sparkle in your eye was my undoing, like it was there for me alone. I finally was able to sit down and talk to Stephen. But, my eyes kept drifting over to your picture. He didn't say a word, but I knew he knew something happened to me that day regarding you. In fact after my third visit there in three days he turned to me when I was leaving and said, 'Here you go, son. You need this picture.'" Leaning back, Drake reached into his chest pocket. A small flashlight turned on, and she looked to what he held.

Her picture, the day her dad said he was taking a picture of her for someone special. She could still remember all of the times he spoke of his very special friend. He never told her his name, he just looked at her and smiled. Like he knew something so special, and fascinating that no one else did.

Tears flowed freely down her face, a sob broke forth. "You...you were the one he took the picture for. He..." She took a deep breath, "He said that I looked so beautiful that day. We hadn't seen each other in over three months, the longest we had ever been away from each other since my training days. I had dressed up for him, and he just kept talking about his special friend." Raven shook her head, "I had no idea. He would never tell me his name, nor show me a picture. But he would tell me little things about you that I loved to hear. I actually started asking more about you, I was so curious. And the more I heard, the more I needed to hear more. He knew that because he would just laugh on the phone and always say, 'One day, in the Lord's timing it will happen. One day. But remember, my little girl, have patience and do not dishonor or cheat on your first Love, Jesus, in the meantime. _Wait._ ' Well, I told him that there would be no picture for that guy, if I couldn't even see him, or meet him. And you see how far that got me. Regardless of the fact, the picture was taken, and I never did get to meet him, know his name, or see him. _Until now_." She affectionately giggled, turning to see his profile.

"I have carried this picture with me in every one of my chest pockets over my heart ever since he gave it to me. At night it was always beside my bed. Even on missions, your picture was there. It was my secret, no one knew. I was afraid someone would snatch you from me." He chuckled, "Silly, I know, but it just seemed you stayed safe, waiting on me, as long as I only knew about your picture." His eyes met hers, "I had no idea I was on your mind when he took that picture. He never told me. But he did tell me that he was going to introduce us, and that I was to wait for you because he knew you were waiting for me. So, I really was on your mind in that picture?"

She reached up, her fingers grazed across his stubbly chin, "Yes, you were."

"Stephen teased me those first three days." He laughed, "And that was just like him. All along this picture was for me, anyway. You know when he told me you were a Secret Service agent I couldn't believe it. I remember thinking, there is no way, no way in the world, I would ever let you protect me."

"Why?" She looked offended.

"Because how could I? There was no way I would let you take a bullet for me. No way. I would run and jump in front of you first. I remember on my campaign, it was so hard for me not to question someone about you, it was a very delicate situation. And your dad would not tell me where you were assigned, nor would he give me your number. I think he got a kick out of just letting the Lord guide us to each other. I'm sure he would have gotten a lot of laughs over our story. But it was hard because I had to make sure not to draw any attention to you or to myself. Every time I arrived somewhere, I quickly looked around to make sure you weren't standing there." Drake laughed, "I don't know what I would have done if I did see you standing there, probably grab you and hide you. Kiss you, motion for you to leave, or I would leave. I don't know."

He slid his beloved picture back into his pocket and turned off his flashlight. "Raven, there's more. I...tried...I wanted so much to come to you after I had heard about your incident and injuries. I fell to my knees, praising Jesus that He had spared your life for me. You see, I had finally confided in a friend of mine from my Special Forces team about you, he's a really good friend of mine. He became my eyes, and ears to find you, and believe me he knows how to get information from anyone. Well, he notified me about your incident as soon as I had finished a speech, and I remember gripping my phone so hard. Then the room backstage just started spinning for me. Zeak happened to be there and he caught me, and quickly rushed me to privacy. His guys just took over and made some type of excuse to a few of my administration people while he stayed with me until I could leave on my own. I fell to my knees, praying for you. I cried, and then praised Him again for saving you. All the while Zeak sat in the room with me quietly waiting."

Tears rolled down his cheeks, and he looked to her, "I came so close to leaving the campaign, even though it was at the very end and I was ahead. At that point, I just wanted to run to you, hold you, and comfort you. My buddy assured me that he would trail you, and be your little protector until you recovered, he ordered me to continue. But I was having such a hard time concentrating. I just kept thinking of you all alone, and possibly lost in your misery. I'll never forget the very next morning, before the sun even came up, I made it my number one priority to track Zeak down. I knew they were of the CAT team which made it even more peculiar that they had been there backstage like that." He smiled, "The Lord knew I needed them, and He had planted them there right when I needed them. Well, I confided my whole story to Zeak, and he told me not to worry about it, that he and 'the boys' would take care of everything."

Clearing his throat, Drake looked towards her father's grave. She reached up and wiped his tears away, but he didn't move, he continued to stare as if seeing something afar off. "However, before your incident your father called me that morning. I was shocked he called because it was very early in the morning, and I knew from the sound of his voice that he was upset. He said, 'Son, I don't have much time and you've got to do me a favor. I don't think I will come back from this last trip. If I do then forget what I am about to tell you, but if I don't I need you to help my baby girl. I've brought her up to love Jesus, and she does, but I think she is still clinging too deeply to me. I have tried to encourage her to cling to Jesus only, because only He can be with her through all things. She's going to need you.' He finally gave me your full name, numbers, and your addresses. Then he said, 'And should I not come back you will probably have to guide her on her path back to Jesus because although she will feel like she is lost, she won't be because Jesus is always right there with her. Please make sure she knows that. And tell her that I love her so much, she was, is and always will be my little girl.'" Drake held her tightly and together they cried.

His hands grabbed her head and he firmly pulled her away from him, so she could look at him fully in the face, "Your dad made me promise to take care of you." A sob broke through his chest, "I found out just hours after your incident that he had died. They didn't release it for days because of the classified nature of the mission. He made me promise with all that I had in me." He gently shook her head, "I love you, so much. I have loved you since your dad talked of you. I promise you, that I will be there for you, I will always love you, and cherish you. And if I can't, if something should happen to me...," his voice broke off, "please, I beg you, know that Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you. And it will always be alright with Him because only He can provide the comfort you will need. Cling to Him more than you would me. Promise me, now. I couldn't bear to know that you would be lost again. _Promise me._ " His voice shook with his sincerity.

She nodded, "I-I promise. You have shown me that, you have led me back to Jesus as my dad wanted you to. You have done for me, exactly what my father had done for you. I will cling first to Jesus, so I can be a better wife to you."

Crying, Drake pulled her to him in a passionate kiss.

Minutes later, she laughed and tenderly stroked his chin, "I never really had a chance against you, did I?"

He smiled a crooked smile, "No. We were running around the training complex looking for you. Zeak had gotten word that after you checked in you were sent out there for your PT test." He swiped a tear away from her eye, "Your voice called to me. The moment I heard your screams, I just knew it was you. God's perfect timing."

"I needed to release all of my pent up emotions. I have never done that before in my life, at least not since I can remember."

"I almost just grabbed you up and hugged you right then and there. I can't believe I was even able to wait another hour before I gave you no choice but to be in my arms. You were so combative and cute!"

Playfully punching him, she laughed.

"Let's pray together now before we leave here. We need to leave because I need to tuck you into bed for our big day tomorrow."

As she listened to his beautiful voice, a picture of Jesus smiling, standing over them with a hand on both of them captivated her senses. Her heart sang praises to her first Love, Her King, Who was personally blessing their marriage, as tears softly rolled down her face.

"Drake. Please don't go. _Please._ Don't leave me tonight."

Drake stopped at the door and turned. His crooked smile melted her heart, sending her blood rushing through her veins. "Okay."

"Will you hold me tonight? And tell me more stories of dad? Then when we wake we could pray and read the Bible together, like we have in the past?"

Drake took a deep breath and took off his shirt, "It would be my pleasure."

Raven immediately reached for him as his weight came down on the bed, her tearful voice pleading, " _Drake._ Please pray the Lord will give me strength to walk down the aisle tomorrow without dad. That is why I didn't want a big wedding, I just wanted you and the minister. I-I.."

"Why do you think I am going to carry you? I want to honor him." He kissed her tears away. "Your dad also gave me his blessing that morning, to take you for my bride." Tenderly he kissed her, "And finally, it will be tomorrow. I have waited so long for this day."

"I think I have too." Shear amazement highlighted her voice, "And you did make up this room just for the two of us."

"Yes, I did. The Lord helped me. I prayed that it would be a place that you could find peace, and rest. A place that we could both get away to rejuvenate."

"And it's perfect. _Praise Jesus._ I love you so very much, Drake."

"I love you, too, sweetheart. It is also a perfect place for us to enjoy the closing of our dating relationship tonight, and then begin our new life together as man and wife tomorrow night. I'm so looking forward to spending our honeymoon in here. Finally, I will be able to join you in that big tub in there." He laughed, "I'm sure you're blushing. So, goodnight sweetheart and fall asleep while I tell you a few funny stories about your dad."

# Chapter 14

Trying to stay calm, Raven started blowing on her hands to dry them. She followed Drake's mom over to the side of the main sanctuary doors that were closed. She stood next to the wall so she couldn't see in when they did open. She felt sick. _Oh, please Lord don't let me throw up._ One of the doors opened and a cold sweat broke out. _It's just Drake standing in there waiting on me._ The other door beside it opened and like the other door, the agent locked it open. Raven froze. Her hands started to shake.

Feeling a tug on her arm, Raven looked down and saw Madeline standing there, her arms crossed. "You don't look so well."

Mary rushed over, "Hush, Madeline, she's just nervous. She will do fine. Raven, you are a beautiful bride, I can't wait until you're my official daughter." Kissing her on her cheek, Mary tried to calm her new daughter who looked ready to faint, or throw up, she couldn't quite tell. "Listen, you look so gorgeous. My son is going to flip when he sees you. Your dress is perfect, soft, simple and elegant. Remember, when Drake tried to help us and we kept yelling at him to stay out while the dress shop was there? Well, each time he snuck back in he kept looking at this dress. He couldn't take his eyes off of it." She grabbed her daughter-in-law's hands, "Just as he will not be able to take his eyes off of you. You have nothing to be nervous about, nor worry about. He loves you, and he is waiting for you in there to be his wife, his First Lady."

"I don't feel so well." Her hand rushed to her mouth and she started to frantically search for a trash can.

"Hey, come on Sweetie. You're fine. Just breathe." Zeak stepped over to her, and grabbed her hand away from her mouth. His voice was encouraging as he subtly started to lead her back to the doors. "Look at my eyes. You're fine. Breathe. You know if it makes you feel any better, Drake is in there about to pass out himself. It's pretty funny because his lead agent keeps moving forward with smelling salts in his hands. Then after he sends him away, Drake looks to those doors right there like he's going to spring through them to grab you, so let's start this. Okay? Before he creates a scene. He's waited a very long time for this."

Raven nodded. Then shook her head no.

"Mommy." Tugging her arm down, Madeline impatiently waited for her attention.

Raven kept looking to Zeak shaking her head no. "I just want Drake. Not First Lad..."

Zeak held her hands, and smiled, "Then go in there and get him."

Madeline tugged on Raven's arm again, yelling. "Mommy!" This time she was tapping her foot, and holding her matching bouquet, a cluster of white roses and one small red one in the center of it, firmly tucked under her arm like the butt of a shotgun.

Jerking out of her anxiety, Raven bent down to her and tried to smile, "Yes?"

Madeline went up on her tippy toes and looked deeply into her dark blue eyes. A few seconds later, she satisfactorily smiled a huge smile. Her brown eyes, so much like her dad's, shone with pure joy as she screamed her delight, "YES! Yes, YES! My new mommy's eyes are happy again!" She marched over and stood directly in the middle of the open doors and looked back to Raven while she pointed to her dad down the aisle, "I told you my daddy would make your eyes all better again! Just like in the picture, Jake! Wow, she's beautiful with her smiling eyes. Okay, stop trying to throw up back here, let's go. It's about time you became my mom because I need a sister. I'm so tired of just having a bossy brother!" The whole church's laughter shook the rafters as the little girl didn't even wait for the music to start, but marched down the aisle with her head held high.

Raven wavered. That sounded like a lot more than just family, and a _few friends_. She looked helplessly to his mom, "How...ho...how many people?"

She guiltily looked at Raven. "I better run in there and strap Madeline to her seat before Drake physically gags her." With that she rushed into the Sanctuary.

"Come on, Raven, I'll help you to the door."

"Zeak."

"Yes?"

"If I don't remember to thank you. Thank you. You always seem to be there when I need something, or..."

"Hey. Stop. You are going to make me cry and this is a very special day." He carefully put down her veil and straightened it. "Now, as your point agent, follow my orders. Let's go."

She smiled, and followed him. She took a step inside the sanctuary and the room rushed to their feet. A wave of light headedness rushed over her, her fingers dug deep into Zeak's arm.

He squirmed and whispered, "You're hurting me."

She couldn't believe it. Everyone she seemed to know from the service was standing on her side of the church, smiling. Eric and Hannah waved. And dear Mrs. Travers was already crying with delight. Oh, could she really do this? She grabbed her mouth...

"Look to Drake, Raven. Just look to Drake and you will be fine."

Her eyes shot to the front of the church next to their Pastor. Drake took a step down and then stopped. Her chest constricted, his black tailored suit emphasized his fit physique, his black cowboy boots were perfectly shined for her. His silky red shirt, open at the neck and devoid of any tie, perfectly matched the color of the center rose in her bouquet. His eyes captivated her, he looked her up and down. A huge knowing smile lifted his mouth, and he slowly started walking towards her. With every step he took she felt the tug of a string on her, pulling her towards him with just his eyes and strong desire. All that suddenly mattered to her was him, her groom. _Her love._

He finally reached her, and his hands came around her as they had so many times before and he lifted her into his sheltering arms. His lips whispered through her veil, "You are so beautiful. I knew that was the dress. _My Bride_." His possessiveness made her long even deeper for him.

"I love you, Drake."

He smiled and winked at her, "I love you, Raven."

"Now why did they cover her face up like that? Come on, we got to see those smiling..."

Drake's face flamed red, as the church uproariously clapped. "My mom had better keep her gagged, or I will."

Raven giggled.

Carefully placing her down at the foot of the altar, Drake's hands shook slightly as he began to lift her veil. He prayed for strength, and that the words he was supposed to say to her would be able to flow through him from her father.

"Finall..." Madeline's mouth was covered again. Her grandma tried to give her the sternest face.

Straightening the veil behind her, he looked deeply into her eyes, and leaned slightly forward, his finger caressing under her chin. "Your father told me to tell you on your wedding day, that he loves you, and has always cherished you, and he knows you are the most beautiful bride in the world. You are to enjoy your very special day with me, the start of a new chapter of our lives together. Don't wish him here, don't wish him away from where he is, because he is right where he needs and wants to be, in the arms of His Savior. As you enjoy your day and new life, he is enjoying it with you because you are a part of him. And he is praising Jesus all the more that this has happened. He loves you and is so very proud of you."

Tears rolled down his cheeks, and his bride gulped back her sob. She closed her eyes, fighting against her tears.

Tenderly, he leaned in, "I love you, Raven Rose Somers. And I praise the Lord for your father. May I always honor him as I strive to be a good husband to you. I owe so much to him. He has raised the most perfect bride, the most perfect wife, all for me. _You_. But above all, may I honor the Lord because He is your Creator. And, you are so precious to me, I love you." Sealing his statement with a delicate kiss, the church clapped.

Carefully wiping her tears away, Drake then turned and wiped his own. He firmly held his bride in his arms, as he turned to their pastor.

"Dad, you are supposed to keep her smiling, not crying. _Men!_ " Madeline rolled her eyes as her father glared at her and pointed for her to zip it.

When the congregation stopped laughing, Pastor Cline motioned for them to be seated. Then chuckling, he looked to Drake and Raven, "Let us begin..."

# Chapter 15

T _en months later..._

Raven sighed, her husband looked so handsome up there at the podium. His commanding voice echoed through the Capitol Building, his arms were tense while he tried to express the necessity of what he was proposing. She looked around and saw that most of the House of Representatives and Senators were agreeing with him. But there were still some that were blatantly ignoring him. Her heart ached when she saw the ones that still fumed over what he chose to do. She wanted to shake them and say, trust him. Couldn't they see the benefits of it in the long run?

Wiping her brow, Raven shifted her weight. Her stomach was big, and their child was not happy today. Maybe she should have listened to Drake's mom and stayed home this morning with her feet up, especially since she had not slept at all last night. But she loved to watch him give his speeches, she just loved the passion in his voice as he stated his point. And he wasn't disappointing her. Her eyes looked to his face, at least Drake didn't look as tired as she felt, at least he was able to get a little more sleep than she had. He just refused to let her stay awake by herself. She smiled as she remembered him rubbing her hand and falling asleep. Only to wake up and start again, then back to sleep again. Finally, she had left their bedroom so he could sleep, but soon after she had left, he had followed her out into the living room. He was so adorably infuriating.

A cramp shot through her and she tried to breathe, but it was proving a little more difficult than earlier. Worry creased her brow, not here, just another hour or two, please. She patted her belly trying to soothe their little one, and shifted her weight again. Her ankle gave a little twinge when she accidentally moved it wrong. This added weight was really upsetting it since she had put off the ankle reconstruction surgery until after the baby was born. A bigger cramp formed and seemed to hug her waist. She looked to the floor, trying to ease the pain.

"Raven? Are you alright?"

Zeak's voice filtered through her service earpiece that the men had commanded her to wear in case she needed them.

She nodded, knowing he would see her. She breathed and wiped her brow. Panic surfaced, she should leave, but how? Her husband was just getting to his favorite part. He had told her all about it with such excitement. Wait, please wait, she patted her belly again. Sweat rolled down her face, as another cramp hugged her.

"Raven? Answer us, now." Rick's voice was adamant.

"Yes." Her feeble response did not in any way soothe them.

She looked up to her husband, he was so in tuned with his audience. The Vice President had reviewed the speech just in case the baby would come, but she wanted Drake to share his vision, himself. His hand came clamoring to the podium and all of a sudden warm liquid rushed from her.

"Zeak, oh, no. Water." Within seconds Zeak and Rick were in front of her, carefully helping her up. The room became a flurry of activity as all eyes turned to the few men in front of her jumping up and screaming over the water rushing under their feet. "This is an historical building, too. I'm sorry, so, so, sor..." She grasped her middle and clamped her mouth down hard. Her grip almost crushed Zeak's hand. Warm, familiar arms came around her. "Don't worry sweetheart, I'll personally pay the cleaning bill."

She nodded and let them escort her out of the shocked room. She just concentrated on breathing through each pain. "I have...have...to stop." She leaned against Drake. "Just one second."

He soothed her brow.

Tears ran down her cheeks, "I'm so sorry, you couldn't say..." Another cramp, and her hands grasped his shirt until she was sure her fingers would bleed.

"That's it." Picking her up, Drake began to run down the hallway. Raven closed her eyes and clung to him.

Laying her down on the limo seat, Drake put a wet cloth to her head. "Don't you dare apologize about any of that. I'm glad you came today, and I wouldn't know what to do if I just got a call and had to meet you at the hospital separately. I want to be with you during all of it."

"Raven, don't worry about it. It's natural, and it could have been a lot worst." Zeak patted her arm, trying to comfort her.

"Now, really, I have to ask, how in the world could it have been any worst then having your water break on live television with the Senators and House of Representatives screaming like little girls and jumping up and down. In a historical building, I might add?"

" _Lawrence!_ Not now!" Zeak covered his red face, while Collars bit down a little too hard on his lip to keep from laughing outright.

Raven's eyes continued to remain closed, she braced herself for another wave of pain, "Remind me to fire him later when I have the energy to." Her mumbled words made them all chuckle. Drake stayed on his knees in front of her, his face nuzzling hers, while he tenderly stroked her belly.

"She is always saying that. My sweet protectee, just hold tight back there, I've already radioed ahead and Miller is there with the wheelchair in hand, and your doctor is waiting. And our motorcade is flying, I don't think we have ever traveled this fast before."

Tears dropped from her eyes, "Drake. I'm scared." She turned to him, her fingers grasping him.

"Oh, sweetheart. It'll be fine. Just let your body do what it has to do." He wiped her tears as another wave wracked her body. He could feel the tension move across her belly under his palm.

She glared at him, and through gritted teeth ground out, "I don't think I have a choice in what my body is doing!"

Drake smiled and brushed her hair out of her face, trying to pull it back into a neat ponytail. She and their baby would be just fine.

Drake held his new little baby boy against his chest.

"Do you think Maddie will be upset?"

"How could she be? He is too cute." Drake looked in awe at Stephen James Hawk.

"That's because he looks just like you and Jake." Raven smiled, and closed her eyes. Her mother-in-law came up behind her and worked at putting her hair back up, trying to get it off her hot, sweaty neck.

"Yes, he does look just like his father and brother, but I suspect he will probably have his mommy's blue eyes. Although, you can't tell yet, they are just a little different then Drake's was when I first held him. Is that better, dear?"

"Yes, thank you."

"I tell you your father is just beside himself with the name you chose. He is so honored that you chose Raven's father's name, as well as his for him. He is one proud Grandpa, he could hardly wait to bring the children in. So they should be here soon."

"Where is he!?" Raven laughed, right on cue Madeline came bouncing in followed by Jake and Grandpa.

Drake sat down in the chair next to Raven's bed, then lowered Stephen to lay flat in his hands.

"Oh, mommy, he is beautiful!" Madeline cooed over him.

"He is so little. How long will it take him to grow?" Jake looked at him as if he was afraid to touch him.

"Not for a while, I hope." Drake laughed. "You both have grown up way too fast, so he probably will, too."

"He looks just like a doll baby. Mommy, I could dress him in my doll clothes."

"It better not be any girly things." Jake glared at his sister.

Raven yawned, her eyes were so heavy and she wasn't able to keep them open.

Drake stood and handed his son to his father. He walked back over to Raven and kissed her. "Are you okay? You suddenly look so pale. Raven? Sweetheart?"

"Uh..." Raven turned towards Drake's hand.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded, then grabbed his hand and tucked it under her, "Tired."

Drake looked to his parents with concern, "Maybe you should take the kids and head back to the house. She hasn't been sleeping well this past week, and last night she didn't sleep at all. The doctor said that she had lost a lot of blood during the delivery, but extra IV fluids should help with that. It has been a really long day and night for her since Stephen was a little hesitant after his water broke this morning." Drake looked to Jake and Maddie cooing over the baby, "And my two big kids, you have school in the morning and it is way past your bedtimes. So come kiss mommy goodnight, then give me one, so Grandpa and Grandma can get you back to bed."

They each kissed Raven, who was already sound asleep. Drake wrapped them both in a big hug and lifted them. "I love you both and be good for your Grandpa and Grandma, and your agents. Do you hear me? You both have been doing great with behaving, but please be extra good now, okay? I'll need your help, and mommy will, too. It may take her a little while to be back to normal, so every little bit helps. Okay?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Yes, Dad. You know I'm getting too big for this."

Drake laughed, "Never Jake. Never." He put them both down, then gave them each a big hug and kiss.

His father came over and gave him a big hug and kiss. "See Jake, I'm not too big for my Dad's hugs and kisses."

Jake rolled his eyes, "I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about lifting me up like that with Maddie."

"Oh." Drake winked to his dad, "As long as it's not the other thing, then I'm fine with that."

"Goodnight son. I love you, and take care of her." His mother leaned up for a hug and kiss.

"I will. Now, give me my little guy. The nurses said that they wanted to do a few things with him after his visitors left." Drake followed his family out of the hospital room, and asked the agent standing there if he wouldn't mind sending in the nurse. He then walked over and cradled Stephen against his chest while he watched his beautiful wife sleep. _Thank you Jesus so much for healing my path and hers. May we both continuously cling to You, and may our new little guy cling to You, as we have asked of our other children as well. Please continue to give us wisdom and strength in raising them for Your glory._

"Mr. President. I will take your little man, now. We are just going to finish a few things with him, especially since your wife is sleeping."

Drake handed him to her and then looked to Raven, "Will she be alright?"

The nurse smiled, "Of course. She is fine, and the extra fluids will really help. She just needs a lot of sleep, especially while she can get it. Don't worry, sir. And I think you could use the rest, too. So why don't you try to sleep while we handle little Stephen."

Drake nodded, "Thank you."

"You are very welcome, I am honored to be his nurse." The nurse turned off the main lights in the room, only keeping the dimmed one on above Raven as she left.

Drake yawned and then stretched in the chair by her bed, but after a few minutes he was still unable to get comfortable. Standing, he carefully moved his wife closer to her IV pole in the bed, then climbed in beside her. He didn't know if it was against regulations or not, but his wife needed him to hold her. And, he needed to hold her. Raven sighed as she felt her husband's arms come around her. Drake kissed her as he placed her head on his chest. His tired voice rushed over her, "Thank you, again, for my little guy. I love you, sweetheart."

The next afternoon, each agent on duty took turns filtering in to see their new little eaglet. The CAT guys came last. They wanted to be able to spend just a little more time with him. Drake smiled to Lawrence and handed him Stephen. "You should hold him like..."

Lawrence brushed him off and waved him away, "Get out of here, Big Eagle. I know what to do." He very carefully held the baby against his chest, as if he had been doing it all of his life. The room looked at him in shock. "What? So I have a lot of brothers and sisters." Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the little guy, all bundled up, wide eyed and so unsure of what was going on. His heart melted, "You know what? He is adorable and Uncle Lawrence is just so proud of him. Yes, I am. I have to tell you, though, my grandchildren are going to be writing about the day of your birth. You know those history classes that have you searching for odd and fun facts about the presidents? Well, one just actually happened yesterday with you. Yes, it did. And I got to watch it first hand, then I got to drive you to the hospital. But the most exciting part was when that water of life you drank, and peed in, flowed right through those stinky guys cleansing them up. Yes, it did."

" _Lawrence!_ "

"What? We're making history here. And they better not act all high and mighty over this, either. It is much cleaner water than they drink, let me tell you. And you see, Uncle Zeak, who's all red faced and yelling at me? Well, he gets to tell his grandchildren that he was right there when your momma just called his name to help out. Yep, he sure beat your dad over to her. Well, then again your daddy just had to swim through your special water, jump over the guys screaming like girls, and push right through the ones too shocked to move. But hey, he made it. Yes, he did."

Raven grabbed her side, and tried so hard not to laugh. Her husband was bent over her bed too, his face getting redder by the minute, his shoulders convulsed, only making her laugh all the more.

"Lawrence, come on, man!"

"Alright, Uncle Lawrence has to go." He kissed him on the cheeks, and carefully handed him back to the only agent not bent over. He looked to Drake and Raven, they were definitely in no condition to hold their little bundle of joy. His voice whined as he hung his head, "I'll just get back and relieve Rick with limo duty." Then he stopped at the door, shook his head and whistled, "Wow, I mean really, forget the President, one smack on his podium and bam...the First Lady just cleaned house. Woo-hoo you go, Mrs. POTUS." With that he quickly left the room.

That was the final straw, Raven hid her face into her pillow holding her side, and tears ran down her cheeks. "I hurt, I really, really do. Please don't let...him...near...me until I am healed." Her laughter rang through the room, mixing with everyone else's.

Alone again, Drake turned to his tired wife, "We need those crazy guys in our lives you know that? They keep us grounded."

"Yes, they sure do." Raven laughed, "I'm sorry to be making such awful history for you."

His eyes sparkled, "My baby is in no way considered 'awful' history. Nor is my beautiful wife. I love you. And just think, we still aren't halfway through this term. It's going to be a long one." He laughed, "Forget the gray hair, I'm going to have no hair from pulling it out when I'm trying to deal with them."

"We just have to make sure Lawrence isn't put on the Eaglet detail. He and Maddie would be way too much to handle, you really won't have any hair left if that happens."

Drake hugged her to him, "Believe me, as soon as we get home, I'm going to make sure that can't happen." He looked to his baby boy sound asleep in the hospital cart, then to his wife whose eyes were so heavy. He traced her face, and tucked her head in the crook of his arm. Softly kissing her, Drake sighed, "Sweetheart, we need to sleep. I love you."

"I love you, too." She fell asleep within moments so secure in his arms.

Drake smiled, "Thank you, Jesus for your beautiful path and Your Light that lights our way, may we always see it before anything else."

# Chapter 16

T _wo months later..._

"Zeak says that you are ready, but are you?"

Raven smiled sadly, "Yes."

He leaned in and kissed her, "Okay. But if you feel unsure at any time, tell me and I will immediately stop it. Okay?"

She nodded.

"Promise me, you will tell me."

She nodded.

He pulled her towards him, "Then let's go, it's time." He looked down at her, "You look very beautiful by the way, I'm glad you wore that dress, I love remembering our last night before we were husband and wife. I guess we had the same idea about our attire?" He rubbed her hand against his matching blue shirt.

"Yes, we did. You look handsome yourself."

He smiled, "Thank you, I like to dress up for my wife." He kissed her forehead. Then nodded to the waiting agents who opened the limousine door. They waited for Jake, Madeline, and his father to join them. His mother stayed in the car holding Stephen.

Jake ran up to Raven and hugged her. "Oh, wow, did you miss me that much? I was only out of the car for a minute." She hugged and kissed him.

"No. I just thought you needed that."

Her breath caught, "Thank you, I sure did need a hug from my big boy. I love you, Jake."

"I love you, too, Mom."

"Mommy, can we go see where grandpa is buried now?"

She nodded. Drake leaned in to kiss her tears. "It'll be beautiful. Today is a perfect autumn day, his favorite season."

Jake squeezed her hand, "Dad and I will help you through it, okay?"

She nodded, again, and bent to kiss him. Her father would have loved his grandchildren.

Walking towards his grave with her new family Raven couldn't help but think at how different it would have been. She could plainly see him chasing Jake around, or throwing up Maddie until she screamed. If only...

She shook her head and swallowed her sob, tears gathered in her eyes and she rested her head on Drake's arm. She would not look at it that way. Jake squeezed her hand even tighter.

"It's beautiful, Mommy. 'Colonel Stephen Somers, Beloved Father and Grandfather.'"

Raven sharply looked to Drake. Who looked at her and smiled with tears in his eyes.

She pulled his head down to her, softly kissing him, "Thank you for adding that."

"You're welcome." Stepping behind Raven, he moved her to the side of the grave. He placed both of his hands around her slender waist, so her head could rest against his chest as she watched. Then he motioned for Maddie to hold her other hand. His father stepped up beside them. He looked to Zeak, who was waiting for his signal. "Are you ready, sweetheart?" His lips tenderly kissed her ear.

"Yes."

He looked back up to Zeak and nodded.

"Okay, watch up there kids, this is impressive. Remember it is all for your Grandpa Somers." His hands tightened around his wife.

The detail marched along the road beside the motorcade. Their silver and gold metals glistened in the light. Not one hand was out of place, not one item of clothing, nor even one look was out of sync. Taps played as they impressively positioned themselves, chills ran up her spine, and tears softly rolled down her face. She thought of all of the military bases her father had dragged her to, and all of the times she had run into his arms after he finally got home from work. The times she had to replay her roles in her school plays because work had taken him far away. And the one special time that she had even been allowed to run across the runway straight into his arms as he had climbed out of his jet. She gasped. Where had the years gone? There were countless times she had laid in bed at night talking to Jesus about making sure He flew her dad home safely as she had held tightly to her orange bunny rabbit. And now he was gone.

An image of Jesus smiling at her on one very special night and gathering her into his arms assuring her that her dad was okay, arose in her mind. She had slept so well that night, and when she had awoken the next morning, her nanny was upset, saying that her dad had gone missing. But Raven had stormed up to her and stomped her foot, _'No, no, no! Jesus said he is bringing him home, he'll just be a little late!'_ Then she stormed off to school and was still mad because no one believed her. The walk home from school that day had been even worse because the kids from school told her that they figured she would be moving now since her dad wasn't coming back. She could still feel the burn on her right knuckles from punching that kid who dared to tell her different than what Jesus had told her.

Then two long days later, right in front of every kid on the playground her daddy had boldly walked outside of the school in his flight suit. A broad smile lit up his face, his arms opened wide, and as if in a dream she ran towards him. He lifted her high up in the air and swung her around laughing. Jesus had proven them all wrong. A sob caught in Raven's throat.

_Thank you Jesus, you have always been there with me, and you have never left me not even when he died._ As the last gun shot rang out she was vividly reminded of her last dream of her father. Her laying down in a defensive crouch, and him just smiling excitedly as he walked by in front of her waving goodbye. He had died the day she had almost died. In fact, she had died that day because that was the day her dad had left her and she could never cling to him again. Drake had told her that death simply means separation. She was now physically separated from her limited anchor, only to truly learn that her True Limitless Anchor, Jesus, had always been there and would never leave her. Her focus had been all wrong, and had been limited to what she could physically see and hear.

She was so caught up in her vision, and revelations, that she had no idea it had ended, nor that the kids were growing restless beside her.

Drake cleared his throat, "Dad, please take them back up to the limo. We'll be up in a few minutes."

"Sure. Come on let's go up and check on your baby brother." Madeline was excited over that idea.

Jake hesitated, and walked back to his mom, hugging her. "Dad, is Mommy alright?"

Drake nodded, "She just needs a few more minutes to say goodbye. Don't worry."

"Remember Mommy, it isn't goodbye, you'll see him again. He's only with Jesus." Jake hugged her tightly. Then ran up the hill to check on his little brother, who he was sure was already tired of Maddie fussing over him.

Drake very gently turned her around to face him. Her blank stare briefly worried him. He pulled her towards him, his lips teased her neck and then her ear. "Please come back to me. Let it out. Okay? Don't hold it in. I'm here, you don't have to hold it in anymore."

Raven shook her head.

"Please, just let it out. It's only us here right now."

Raven shook her head again.

"Oh, my strong wife who has incessantly tackled my administration with so many great ideas. Come on, it's just you and me. What did you say to me a few months ago when I was so mad and wouldn't talk about it? You said, 'Hey, go ahead and hold it in and let it eat at you. Or tell me and we will both share it and eat it together. Then it will be over and we can flush it down the toilet. And we both will then be praying for the Lord to cleanse that way as we move on. It's your choice.'" He smirked, "I love your little choice of words so much like your father's. But it was true. And once I told you and shared it with you, it actually seemed less significant. I don't want to compare it to this, but I do want you to know that I want to mourn with you so you don't get too full with it, and I want to move on with you. I want to teach you how to remember him with tears of joy, and anticipate your reunion with him after your journey here is done. You know only Jesus can give you the peace and comfort that is truly filling, and then you will be so full of Him that a tender smile, and a soft look will replace your complete sadness. But I want to help you because I miss him, too. I often wonder how joyful he would have been grabbing up his new grandson named for him, and sitting our children on his lap. He actually knew all about Jake and Maddie that a grandparent should know."

Drake laughed, "Stephen got to where he would always ask about them and share in delight when they did well in school. He was planning on meeting them, but was unable to. Remember when I told you he never missed their birthdays with a card and special gift? The funny thing is, I was rushing the information out because I was too interested in asking more questions about you." Drake rubbed his head against hers. "He did love our children. He knew we would be married, and he knew they would be his grandchildren. Somehow, he knew. By God's grace He had allowed him to know that ahead of time, and had given him peace in knowing that his daughter would be better than alright. In fact, after he told me to tell you what he wanted me to tell you on your wedding day, he said, 'and you tell my new grandchildren that their grandpa loves them, and they had better cling to Jesus in this life so I can finally see them.'" Drake's tears dripped down his face, and he choked back a sob, "You know, when he hung up the phone that last time, I kept mine on for hours. I just couldn't let go." He hid his face in her neck and cried.

Raven gasped and finally let her sobs out, they beautifully mixed with his. Together they stood there holding each other so tightly, while their tears washed each other of their heartache, all the while Jesus held them upright.

Madeline looked out the car window down to where her parents were hugging each other. She prayed Jesus would help mommy with her heartache. Her eyes saw something flash, frowning she looked closer, and a huge smile came across her face as she saw Jesus holding her parents together, very tightly. She quickly rolled down the window, "Thank you Jesus!" She screamed it at the top of her lungs and He smiled the most beautiful, peaceful, heart melting smile she had ever seen, all for her alone. And just as quickly those crazy agents scrambled over themselves trying to roll her window back up and lock it. She crossed her arms in a huff, they always did mess up her fun. She looked again and couldn't see Him, but she knew He was still there. Her little heart grew in size over the lights of joy, happiness, and love that shined brightly from His eyes. _She loved those eyes!_ Her heart felt so warm and fuzzy inside, she would never, ever forget what she saw. _Thank you, Jesus!_ It was so precious to her that she didn't even want to tell anyone yet, she just wanted to keep it all to herself, like a little treasure.

"Grandma, when people don't believe in Jesus they don't make it so well, do they? I mean who would they have to wipe their tears when no person is around to hug them, or do it for them?"

Her grandma had tears in her eyes as she looked at her amazing granddaughter, "No, they don't make it so well."

Grandpa shifted Stephen in his arms and looked at Madeline, "That's why it is so important to tell others about Jesus, and His love. They may not believe you at first, but as time goes on they may remember a word or two, or even an action you may have done. Like just now praising Jesus, and then that will change their whole journey, their whole life right when it needs to happen."

Raven started giggling. "Oh, Madeline." And once she started she couldn't stop, her chest rumbled against Drake. Right on cue, he started up. Their laughter was always so contagious. Joy surrounded them and they tried to help each other stand as they fell into their laughter. Drake leaned back, and tried to gulp in air. Raven wiped her tears and bent forward.

"Dad would love that."

"Yes...he would." His side ached. "Please remind me to never take her to any of my speeches. _Please._ "

"Maybe I will and maybe I won't. It depends if they are boring or not." She shook more.

"Watch it, _wife._ " He bent over and tried to catch his breath.

"Grandpa? What are they doing down there?"

His grandpa looked around him and smiled, "They are apparently laughing."

Jake shook his head, his parents were so strange sometimes.

Maddie tucked the blanket better around Stephen as Grandpa shifted him. "Good. I hate sad tears. Only happy tears and laughter for me. Right, baby Stephen, uh?" She cooed at him and kissed his warm, soft cheek.

Pushing her hair behind her back, Raven used Drake's handkerchief to pat her face. Drake drew her in close. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Ready to go up?"

She nodded, and turned to her father's grave. She was about to tell him bye, but then caught herself, she looked to the sky and said, "Thank you Jesus for blessing me with a wonderful father, please tell him I love him and will see him someday when it's time."

"Amen." Drake kissed her soundly on the mouth, then led her up the hill.

Once at the car, Agent Collars opened the door, and Drake leaned in, "Come on out kids, you have to tell your mom goodbye."

"What?"

"Why?"

"Drake?" Puzzlement creased her brow.

"We are going on a date before Grandma and Grandpa have to go back home in a few days. Remember, our first anniversary is next week and we promised to spend it with you, but right now I'm taking her away for the evening."

"Bye Mommy, love you." Maddie hugged her. "Bye Daddy, love you, too."

Drake picked her up and kissed her. "Thank you for thanking Jesus like that, we really needed that. I love you, too." He placed her in the limo and then turned to give his son a hug and kiss.

Raven tugged on Drake's arm, "Drake, I can't. Stephen has to be fed. I just...I can't."

He placed his fingers over her lips. "You can and you will. It's done. Mom has taken care of it. And, hey, she raised me, and believe me I was double what Madeline is. They'll be fine."

Her father-in-law handed her Stephen, Raven smiled and snuggled her baby to her, kissing his sweet face that was so much like Drake's. Then her father-in-law drew her into a surprisingly, huge embrace. "I love you. You are my daughter, and if there is anything you ever need please don't hesitate to call me. Okay? I know I could never replace him, nor would I ever try. But know that you are my daughter, too. And you are very precious to me. Especially since you put up with my son, here. I love you."

She nodded, tears ran down her cheeks. He was so dear to her, "Thank you so much for that. I love you, too, _Dad_." She giggled, when Stephen screamed and told them in no uncertain terms that he was getting smashed.

"Here give me the little guy. Mom is waiting for a hug, too. We don't need him screaming again, especially not here." Smiling, Drake grabbed up his son and delicately shook him over his head, then kissed him making him chuckle.

"Now, don't you worry about a thing, Raven. It will be fine. You have already unknowingly planned ahead, remember? There are extra bottles in the refrigerator that will see him through the rest of today and tonight. Plus I'll mix up some of the rice cereal you have so his belly will be nice and full, so he'll sleep longer. He'll be fine." Hugging her, Mary whispered, "And I love you, too. Now, enjoy your time alone with Drake. During these next years, these private little moments will see you through the harder times when work keeps him away."

Raven nodded and kissed her back. "Thank you, Mom."

"It is my pleasure." Turning to Drake, she smiled and gave him a big hug and kiss. "Take care of my daughter now and have a great time. Now, give me back my little boy."

Drake kissed his mom, then gave his baby a huge kiss. "Daddy loves you." Turning, he shook his dad's offered hand, then grabbed him into a big bear hug.

Raven tenderly smiled, and then turned towards his mom to kiss her little baby goodbye.

After a few moments, Drake stepped up behind her, and physically started pealing her fingers off of Stephen. He leaned in, softly whispering, "Sweetheart, let go. It's time to leave." He grasped her hands tightly down to her sides as his parents climbed into the limo.

Madeline frowned, "Daddy, we're taking your protective car, what are you going to ride in?"

"Oh, don't you worry none, your father has it all taken care of. Have fun you two, because we know we will." Laughing, she let her husband put Stephen into his car seat while she made sure her grandchildren were all buckled up.

"Can we still have them stop traffic for us, even though daddy isn't with us? That's fun. Especially with the lights, and sirens. They drive fast." Madeline looked at him with adorable pleading eyes.

Drake laughed, "Give them the presidential treatment guys." The cops ahead of the limo gave him a thumbs up, while his driver smiled. Stepping back, he continued to hold his wife, knowing she would have a hard time letting go.

Zeak and four other guys walked up to relieve Agent Collars and the three other PPD posts when the motorcade prepared to leave.

Raven's arms felt so empty. She smiled a sad smile, and waved as they drove off, and continued to watch until two black SUVs pulled up.

Hesitantly she looked to Drake, "What do you have planned?"

Drake laughed, and started shaking her, "Don't look so glum. Hey, this is our day and night. No kids, just a bunch of crazy CAT guys. That is until we can shake them, too."

"Hey, remember you can never shake us. Believe me, you're not _that good_." Laughing, Zeak motioned for them to step into the second vehicle.

Raven went to climb into the back, and saw that another black SUV pulled up behind them. Another diversion vehicle, _they were good._ Sitting on the seat, Raven blew out her breath and fiddled with her too empty hands, she looked out the window and back inside again. She already didn't know what to do. She looked over at Drake and her heart softened, he looked so happy and relaxed, his long legs were stretched out and his eyes were closed. He smiled an all too knowing smile as he peaked at her from under his eyelids. _She wanted to hit him._

They quietly made their way outside of Arlington and hit the freeway using different tactical back roads. The guys amazed her with their ability in diverting attention away from themselves. Simultaneously all three vehicles looked to be traveling together, and then in one instant, a new one joined them. And then another one branched off. Then a mile or so down the road, they met up again, and then this time their vehicle took off in another direction. This side of the service had always fascinated her, and the command of the vehicles that the agents had was so impressive. She felt a little bit nostalgic.

"Hey, I have to tell you Mrs. POTUS, it looks like I'm going to be seeing more of you these days. I'm about to be assigned to a new position." Lawrence glanced at her from his rearview mirror.

"Really? Who?"

"Well, my heart just melted back there, and so I'm putting in for First Little Lady Madeline's detail." He smiled so big, his green eyes brightened.

Raven's mouth dropped open and she looked to Drake, who immediately was at attention and shaking his head muttering, "He can't. I saw to it. He's bluffing, he can't do it."

Undeterred, Lawrence happily kept talking, "Boy, that little girl is amazing. Yelling out like that just made my day when everything was so quiet out there and solemn. You know, it's a good thing I didn't have my long gun out, I wouldn't have been able to keep it steady. I laughed so hard. Whew, I love her, and we will have so much fun together."

Drake kept shaking his head, while he ran his hands through his hair. Raven looked around the vehicle and the other agents' faces were bright red. Zeak covered his face with his hat, and bent his head low while his shoulders shook.

"You know I heard she was a cute little character, and at your wedding she was super priceless. My heart had already started melting right there in that church. Man, I wanted to just kiss her for that. But it's not like a once and done kind of thing, I mean she just keeps going, and going, and going. I mean what in the world will she say next? You know, Mr. President, we really should have taken her to your speech that morning when Stephen was born. Think about how it would have been if she had been at the Capitol Building when your wife cleaned the house out with help from Stephen! She would have definitely had those shocked lawmakers moving." He laughed as he quickly changed lanes and sped up ahead of another random cop car. "Come on Zeak, relay the info, that rookie cop is having a little fit back there. So get to talking to him."

Zeak coughed, and wiped his eyes. He talked, and then coughed some more.

"Are you having trouble, Zeak? Oh forget it, I'll do it. Roger that Copper 1, Agent Zeak is having some issues here, he's having some trouble trying to keep his coffee down, and I think he's hungry for donuts. Anyway, you have Crazy Driver Lawrence in your ear, or I guess for you, your speakers, and we are moving to section 3 on westbound 5. Standby for further relay when I reach Copper 2, go ahead and send Copper 5 to his target pickup location and I will keep you posted."

Drake grabbed his head, "I saw to it. He is definitely bluffing. He has to be. _This is a nightmare._ "

"Do you need something Mr. President, sir?" Lawrence quickly looked into his rearview mirror, and there was a very pronounced gleam in his eyes. "You really don't look so well. Am I driving okay for you?"

Drake shook his head, "You can't. It can't be done. There's just _no way._ "

"What? Oh, the detail. Well, sorry sir, but I have to. I really have no choice. I _neeeedddd_ that job. And, personally, I think it would only add to the quality and care that you're little children need at this crucial point in time. The value of having me on her little team would be so important to her little child rearing days. I mean, really, who better than Uncle Lawrence? Think about it. You know, I think I could get SAIC Moreno to understand the value of that. He would understand if I would have to step down as a CAT guy, and become a full fledge agent again for about six more years, should you win again. Actually, come to think about it, he would most likely encourage it, I mean he was all for Zeak, Miller and me to become agents for your wife until her detail was completely lined up. And think about all of the fun, odd, interesting presidential historical facts we could make together. You know, years from now, I bet you that you will be known as the president with the most odd, crazy facts than all of the past and future presidents combined. And that alone, would be a historical fact. Wow, just think...we would all be a part of it, too!" His arms swung around trying to encompass the whole car, emphasizing his point.

Drake vehemently shook his head, Raven covered her face and started shaking from laughter. Her husband looked so awful, he looked like he was going to faint. She watched as his shaking hands grabbed out his phone, and pushed #8. He cleared his throat, staring straight at the floor.

And when Lawrence wasn't directing traffic information between everyone involved, he was talking about little Madeline and all of the possibilities of exploring the White House and having so much fun together by making people laugh.

Very strangely, the SAIC didn't pick up, not even on the second try. But by the third try, Drake was steaming and he didn't even let Luciano answer his phone properly. " _Luciano._ Don't you listen to a thing that I tell you? You are so fired, and will never, I repeat, _never_ work again in the service as long as I am President, if you even think to allow Agent Lawrence on Madeline's detail."

Raven looked at Lawrence's shocked expression and lost it. He started muttering to himself, and childishly imitating Drake's sputtering, all the while driving perfectly down the road. She grabbed her side and bit her hand trying to stifle the laughter that the other agents were already letting loose.

Drake continued on, ignoring everyone else in the car, he wiped the sweat from his brow and yelled at his phone, "I don't care how good he is. No. I said no."

Raven could hear the CAT boss trying to calm Drake down, and explain why that possibility shouldn't be 'unheard of.' Suddenly it dawned on her, their boss was in on it, too. This wasn't just joking around, they were actually pulling a nice big agent-prank on Drake and he was falling for it. _Hook, line and sinker!_ She put her hand on his leg trying to calm him, but she couldn't stop laughing and her head fell against them. His muscles bunched tightly with tension under her palms.

"Well, right at this point I really don't care how good he is, nor that he is your top sniper. And I will gladly take the 'lower grade' agents as you are telling me they are. Which by the way is a very stupid comment to make to me because _my wife_ was one of them. And I would much rather have their quality of work and keep my sanity, than to lose my hair, sanity and peace of mind!"

She couldn't take it any longer, she had to put him out of his misery, "Drake, honey, he's in on it, too. Look at Lawrence."

Drake quickly glared around and saw they were all laughing. His eyes momentarily glinted at Lawrence who was clapping his hands and doing a victory dance behind the wheel. Then it finally dawned on him. How could he have fallen for this one? He slumped against the seat, and laughed so hard. Raven heard the SAIC laughing and yelling, "We got you so good. _Yes!_ "

Between laughs, Drake shook his head, "Oh, man I should have known when you didn't pick up your phone the first time, or the second. Yeah, you did. Oh, my, can you only imagine what they could get into with both of them together?" Drake shook his head, and lovingly looked over to Raven. "Yeah, yeah. I'll get you back someday. Okay, I will. Talk to you later. Bye." He leaned over and kissed her, "Luciano says to relax, and enjoy yourself tonight."

She smiled. "Okay." She hugged him, and finally, her arms did not feel so empty anymore. She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes. She dozed off while Drake rubbed her neck and back.

Drake laughed, "Just like old times, guys. She's fallen asleep on me, again. I really must be either boring, or very relaxing."

"I vote boring."

"Lawrence?"

"Yes, boss." He smiled, a very satisfied smile and looked at Drake through his rearview mirror.

"Zip it." Drake smiled back at him, and shook his head.

"Sure." Laughing, Lawrence tried to relay more information to the cops, but Zeak booted him off the radio very quickly.

# Chapter 17

"Sweetheart?" Drake nuzzled her neck. "Time to wake up."

Raven quickly looked around confused. "Where?"

"No, we aren't at home. Remember, we went away."

"Oh. Yeah." Sitting up, Raven leaned forward so that her head rested against the back of the seat in front of her.

Concernedly, Drake rubbed her back, "I hadn't realized just how exhausted you are. I know you went to the doctor today, but I had heard that everything is fine and clear. Are you okay?"

Raven nodded, "It is. I'm just tired." She shrugged, "I just haven't been able to nap like I should when Stephen's napping."

"Guys, if you don't mind, we need a minute."

Quietly all of the guys piled out and shut their doors, walking a few yards away.

Drake continued to rub her, but he couldn't keep the anger out of his voice, "That's it. I don't want you sneaking away to your office like you have been. I should have known when I first heard about that. I should have stopped you immediately. You have been doing way too much, too soon."

Raven's hands tensed against the seat, "Okay, what is it with 'you hearing?' I mean, how in the world do you know all of this? I haven't even been able to talk to you much these last few weeks, or I would have gladly told you what's been going on. I'm not trying to keep anything from you, nor am I 'sneaking away.' Stephen has started to only wake up once a night now, and whenever he does nap, I seem to have countless energy." Raven stopped and wiped her eyes, "I have just missed our family dinners these last few weeks. We still have them, but you haven't been there so it's not the same. And I miss not hearing your voice. I hate to call you because I never know if you are in an important meeting or not. I tried to go to your office one day with Stephen, but when I was walking down the hallway I overheard a woman say that they were happy I didn't bother you like some wives would. So I turned around and left. I just wanted to give you a kiss. That's all. I miss our Bible reading together, I miss our routine, I miss..." Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she angrily wiped them away. "I'm tired, I'm just so tired. And I'm really not making any sense right now, I know."

Drake tried pulling her unto his lap, but she resisted. "Get up here."

"No."

" _Raven._ Come here." He forced her to sit on his lap and look at him.

She glared at him through her tears, "And if you so much as say I'm emotional because I just had a baby. I will scream. I promise you, I will."

He had the nerve to chuckle.

She tried pulling her arms free, but he easily held her in a new special grip that didn't allow that to happen.

"I miss you, too. I wish you would have listened to your heart instead of what someone said that day because it would have made my day for you to do that. Believe me, on Monday morning I will make sure that my whole administration knows just where I stand on my doors being an open door for my wife. They were way out of line to even say such a thing, and if they have a problem with that then they can leave. I don't care what position they hold. You are _my wife_ , if you need me, you find me. I don't care where I am or what I'm doing. I don't care if I am in a hot meeting with the military generals. If you feel led to see me, then you had better come to me. _Understood?_ " He glared at her waiting, until she finally nodded her head. "I know you would never take advantage of that. I also know that if there is a need for you to see me than I need to fulfill that need. And I have missed you so much. That is why I planned this trip, that is why I did all of this. For you. For me. _For us._ "

She tried to keep her lips tightly shut, but she never could succeed in that. Within seconds her body fell limp against him, and between kisses, she asked, "Why didn't you ask me how my doctor's visit went? Why didn't you ask me what I was doing during the day? Why didn't you text me and ask, if you couldn't call? Why do you talk to others about me, but don't ask me?"

After her last question, Drake leaned in for one more kiss, then lifted his head. "I have listened when the others have talked. I have never asked anyone about you, I wouldn't do that. Except the doctor. I did call him to make sure you were alright because I knew the kids were home from school today, and my parents were there and I didn't think you really wanted to discuss it when they were within hearing distance. I knew everyone was busy getting ready, and I just didn't even think about texting you to ask you. I had planned to go to the doctor's appointment with you, but a very important meeting unexpectedly came up just as I was leaving to surprise you. I had to deal with that problem before I could even think about leaving for today and tonight. I'm sorry, I really didn't want you going to your doctor by yourself. But I also figured that it is understood between us that you would contact me immediately if something was wrong."

"I would have. And it's good you didn't go because you would have caused a scene at the office."

"A scene? When do I ever do that? Well, I've come close a time or two with you, but the guys would never let me."

"No, for just being there. I had to see the doctor in his office downtown because he had a surprise birth earlier today. He had planned to come and use the medical offices down the hall from my office, but couldn't make it in time for us to leave for the cemetery. It was bad enough Rick and Agent Gregory had to security sweep the room first, and then wait on the other side of the closed door." She shook her head and laughed. "It was awfully embarrassing. And I think the doctor was more nervous today than when he was in the delivery room with you there. He was probably afraid that if I said ouch, the door would be busted down and a gun would be pointed at him."

Drake laughed, "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I had no idea. Oh, baby...come here." He kissed her pouting lips. "I knew we needed to get away. I'm sorry it's been a little hectic with all of the briefings over these last few weeks. When I do come in I know you haven't been sleeping much so I haven't wanted to wake you. In fact, when I found out that you had not even been napping during the daytime, I made sure not to wake you."

"But I want you to wake me. I miss _you_. Your voice, your words, your frustrating but adorable impulses. Your endearingly gentle, but aggressive behavior. Your laugh, your looks that you send my way, your playfulness with the kids and myself." She hid her face in his chest. "I just miss you."

"Well, now that I know that I will make sure I wake you. Maybe if I would have woken you, you would have been more tired so that you could take your naps. You know, though, I kiss you every time I come in, and before I leave early in the morning. Along with our babies." He kissed her. "I always make sure you are all safe and sound in your beds, then I pray over you all. And I climb into bed, firmly pulling you to me so I can hold you."

"I'm sorry, I don't want to put pressure on you. You have way more than enough of that. I hate to whine. And I don't want to."

"For the record, you are not whining. And there is no pressure from you. I am so glad you have just told me all of this because I was afraid that something would come between us. Along with not waking you, I also was afraid the beeping of my texts could wake you. I should have just come out and asked you if it would be alright to text or call you during the day. Okay? Let's stop analyzing and thinking for each other and just ask." He pulled her head off his chest so he could look her directly in the eyes. "I am amazed at how wonderful you have handled everything without me being there. You are such a wonderful mother to our children, you are right there when they need you, and when I need you. You always leave little desserts out for me when I come in. And those times that you sent food to my office with those cute little notes in it, they have encouraged me so much. I am so glad that you have clung to Jesus to complete you. Because where I have let you down, or where I am weak with you, He has filled that void and completed you, so that you don't hold that against me. You support me more than I could have ever imagined anyone on earth supporting me. I appreciate all of your little things you do for me, and for our children. I love you so much."

She smiled at him, "Thank you, I needed to hear that. I love you, too." She looked outside and frowned, "Where are we by the way?"

"Well, we aren't quite there. We just have a little ways to go yet. Are you ready to leave?"

"Yes."

Drake knocked three times on the window, and the guys piled back in. After a little while down a small secluded, wooded road, Drake reached behind her and blindfolded her.

"What are you doing?"

"Just trust me, and wait."

The radio communications continued. "All clear. Continue to approach." Within a few short minutes the vehicle stopped and she heard the men file out. She instinctively reached to lift her blindfold.

"Don't you dare touch that blindfold. See, that's why I put that on you, you are too curious sometimes. Just trust me." He helped her climb out of the vehicle and started leading her away from it. "I first wanted to bring you here when it was dark, but I couldn't wait that long."

After a few yards, he pulled her behind him. "Now, hold onto me and continue to walk right behind me, okay?"

She giggled, "Yes, but I think my foot just got a little wet."

"Only at the first step. Now, I will take off your blindfold if you promise to only look into my face, okay? Nowhere else."

"Okay."

He lifted off the blindfold then gathered her into his arms. Their eyes met, "I love you, my gorgeous wife. And our lives may be a little rocky sometimes. We will experience sorrow, heartache and loss, but as Jesus has always promised us in His Holy Word, 'Joy does come in the morning.' May we always have joy. His joy, so no matter what we may go through we can still laugh and smile inwardly because He fills us when we are weak. Do you remember when Jesus walked on water?"

"Yes."

"Well, may we as a couple, and as a family, know that we are limited in our bodies. But because we choose Him first in all things, we will have His limitless power and strength always within us. Look down, my love."

Her stomach dropped, and she felt like she was falling, her knees automatically buckled as she grasped him.

He laughed at her reaction. Then he lovingly watched her as she investigated what they were standing on, and how they could possibly be standing on water. "The path lights up at night, you'll see. Techy even has a few lights that accent the waterfall over there."

"Wow." Raven looked and saw they were in the middle of a beautiful pond, she looked to her right and saw a beautiful waterfall crashing into it. Thick woods were all around them. "Security must be difficult here."

He laughed, "Always an agent. No, it's majorly protected. I bought this land secretly and a few of my buddies helped me out with the design of it. It has a high-tech fencing all around the acreage. And I won't bore you with any more security details, but believe me when I say that they have it all taken care of."

"So," she blushed and looked up into his chocolate brown eyes, "We really aren't alone, are we?"

"Well, we are basically. They have promised to give me a huge perimeter around this pond so that we can be alone, and fully enjoy ourselves." He winked, and pushed the button on his hidden remote to start the soft music.

And then he turned her head to her left, her eyes sparkled while her mouth dropped open.

A table for two was set right on top of the water in the middle of the pond. She blushed, "Dessert first?"

He felt her tremble under his hands. Their lips softly searched each other out, while he whispered, "Always. It gives us sweet energy to deal with whatever may come our way as we walk our path together."

###### Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God?

###### Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

###### You will increase my honor, and comfort me once more.

###### I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.

###### My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you, I whom you have delivered.

###### My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

###### (Psalm 71: 19-24)

##### Jesus, our Lord, our Savior, you protect us on all sides as we turn to you alone. You light our path as we walk into a deeper fellowship with you.

## ~Jesus, you truly are our step beyond protection.

A Glance at Andie Renee

Hi, I am a former United States Secret Service Special Agent that has fallen deeply in love with Jesus. I write Christian Romance Novels that I hope will provide you with a few hours of enjoyment. As well as inspire and encourage you in your personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. May you always put Him first in all that you do, and deeply know the victory that only He can provide as the Holy Spirit guides you and instructs you in your journey on earth while your heart is held protectively, and securely in the hands of your Abba (Heavenly Father). I hope that you find yourself laughing, crying, sighing and thoroughly enjoying each story written. As well as gaining a deeper knowledge of living in God's presence and Jesus's powerful love for you. All Glory and Honor unto the Lord our God, Hallelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigns.

Please Keep in Touch with Me at:

_Smashwords author page:_ http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AndieRenee

_On Facebook:_ https://www.facebook.com/ChristianRomanceAndieRenee

_My Blog:_ http://www.andierenee.wordpress.com

Keep a lookout for my other novels in my Protection Series at your favorite retailer or visit my blog for releasing details:

#2: In the Shelter of Protection: Released; now available

#3 Crossing the Bridge of Protection: Released; now available

#4: Grasping Protection in the Face of Fear: coming Spring 2014

#5: Breathing in the Freedom of Protection: coming Summer 2014

...possibly more, will have to wait to see what the Lord walks me through in this series!

This series of novels are based on the United States Secret Service and introduces the elusive CAT guys (Counter Assault Team).

There is a unique brotherly bond between the agents that you will meet. Each novel does stand alone, and you are not limited by having to read the first one to follow the rest. However, reading them in order will help introduce you to the lovable men, and the women they allow near them before you delve into their personal lives. I hope the stories provide you with a few hours of enjoyment as you crawl into their protective lives and find yourself cheering on the heroic, strong women who make them even more protective. Those same women whose lives are uniquely held in the hands of Jesus which draws their men into a closer fellowship with their Savior. Enjoy your glimpse into a rare lifestyle that you would almost have to live in, in order to believe.

Here is one of my non-series novels that are now available (check my blog for the ones that are on their way):

" **A Love Beyond Life's Circumstances,"** is a novel about an amazing woman, Salena Shreve, who has learned firsthand that Jesus does carry her through her journey on earth. She is physically confined to a wheelchair from the same accident that killed her parents. Having no one else to cling to for help, Salena had desperately clung to Jesus and she has since experienced a miraculous healing that goes beyond what the physical eyes can see and runs deeper than what merely pierces the flesh. However, her heart is set ablaze as she comes face to face with a bitter, lonely man that hates God. Mindfully tired of his lonely existence, but yet determined to keep his anger alive, Byron's hardening heart proves no match for this joyfully bold woman of God. She awakens a deep and unexpected desire in him that drives him to his knees as he finds himself craving her healing presence and soft touch.

Thank you for downloading my book and I hope you have enjoyed it. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family.
