by Radclyffe
"Felicia may be the key," Mac said. "The files are the only thing that will give us hard evidence--unless we can find a primary witness."
"Maybe Deep Throat?" Blair asked hopefully.
"Possible," Stark commented. "Except he--or she--clearly doesn't want to be found. If they're friendly, and I tend to agree that's the most likely scenario, for some reason they're afraid to approach you directly. It's not going to be easy to draw them out."
"I'll brief Davis personally in the morning," Cam said, unable to hide her bone-deep weariness. "But, I'm going to urge her not to do this. She's at the most risk. If she can crack their computers, someone on the other end can no doubt can track her back here."
"I don't think so, Commander," Mac said with certainty and an unexpected note of pride. "She was assigned to go after Loverboy because she's one of the best computer hackers in the world. I have a feeling she knows how to cover her tracks when she's breaking in someone's back door."
"Let's hope so," Cam rejoined, still unhappy about involving yet another agent. "We'll see after I've talked with her."
"I'm going to see her tonight," Mac offered quickly. "With your permission, Commander, I can brief her. It will save time."
"Whoa, Mac," Savard jibed, her blue eyes twinkling. "Fast worker."
He blushed, but his grin was pleased. "Not that fast--she said no the first six times I asked her out." He cleared his throat, suddenly serious. "Commander?"
Cam glanced at the faces of those around her and knew the decision had already been made. Sighing, she shrugged. "Go ahead, Mac. Bring her up to date on everything we've got so far."
Mac gathered his briefcase and placed the envelope with the photographs inside along with the surveillance tapes. "I'll speak with you in the morning then, Commander."
"Let's plan on a noon meeting for updates all around." She glanced at Blair. "Is it all right if we meet in the Aerie?"
"Of course," Blair said.
"Let's everyone try to get some down time then," Cam suggested as she waved good night to Mac. Turning to Blair's primary guard, she asked, "Ready to go, Stark?"
Stark hesitated, glancing quickly at Savard. Before she could speak, Blair interrupted.
"I thought I'd spend the evening at Diane's, Cam. You can take me there, can't you?"
"Of course. Stark, you're officially off duty now anyhow. I'll call the command center and have someone meet us downstairs and escort Ms. Powell to her destination."
"Don't bother, Commander," Stark said without a second's hesitation. "I can accompany her."
Cam sensed rather than saw Savard stiffen, and the fog cleared enough from her exhausted brain to register Blair's small sigh of disapproval, too.
"That's all right, Agent," Cam said, already pulling the cell phone from her belt. "Take what's rest of the night off. My orders."
After Cam arranged for the night detail to meet them with the second vehicle downstairs, they said goodnight to Stark and Savard and left.
"I can't believe you just volunteered to work another night. What is thatthree in a row?" Savard asked with a threatening tone in her voice. "Getting stood up two nights straight would seriously bruise my ego."
"Well, it's kind of a tricky situation since the Commander and Egret are trying not to be too obvious about spending time alone together," Stark began seriously. "It's easier if I --"
"Paula, shut up."
Then Savard effectively implemented the order by pressing her mouth to Stark's. Surprise turned to a soft moan as Savard's tongue moved gently over Stark's. When the kiss ended, Stark drew a shaky breath.
"That was awfully nice," she said, her breath catching a little on the words.
Savard rested her palm against Stark's cheek, gently brushing the dark hair back from her temple with her fingertips. "Yes, it was. And there's a lot more where that came from."
"There's no quota or anything is there?" Stark inquired as she intertwined her fingers with Savard's.
"None at all. Savards voice was husky and low. "In fact, I believe there's an endless supply."
"I want to make love with you so much," Stark confessed, her body vibrating with urgency. "I've wanted to for what feels like forever."
The simplicity of her statement struck Savard harder than a blow. Sharply, she drew in a breath, her blood suddenly racing. "I can't wait."
Stark stepped close and slipped one arm around her waist. Just before she kissed her, she whispered, "Then let's not."
Chapter Thirtyone
Cam leaned forward to relay instructions to Foster, who was at the wheel, then settled back in the rear of the Suburban with a sigh. Rubbing her temple absently, she said, "I ought to be able to run the first level background checks tonight."
"Cam," Blair said sharply, “youre about ready to fall down. You need some sleep."
"I'm okay." Cam smiled and consciously straightened her shoulders, shaking her head to clear her mind. "I can nap between--"
"I want you to stay at Diane's with me tonight." Blair's voice was calm and quiet, but there was a finality in the way she spoke that suggested she was not going to yield.
Cam was silent, considering her choices. It wouldn't be the first time that she and Blair had spent hours, even entire nights, together at some place other than Blair's apartment. Their being alone didn't necessarily imply that they were involved personally--and at this point, it seemed moot what anyone thought about their relationship. In truth, she was too tired to make a good decision, and she wanted to be with Blair. "All right."
"Good." Cam's easy assent only confirmed Blair's suspicions that her lover was teetering on the brink of exhaustion. She had expected more of a fight, but she was happy to have avoided it. She too was emotionally and physically drained, and all she really wanted to do was see that Cam got some rest.
Fifteen minutes later, she and Cam stood outside Diane Bleecker's apartment door. When it opened, Diane lazily raised one eyebrow as she leaned against the doorjamb in a burgundy dressing down, looking like a siren from a 1940's movie. "Good evening."
"Hi," Blair said, taking Cam's hand as she leaned forward to kiss Diane on the cheek. "You have houseguests for the night."
"Goodie. I love a pajama party," Diane said as she stepped aside to allow them entrance, her sharp eyes taking in the Secret Service agent's pale complexion and slightly unsteady step.
"No," Blair threw back over her shoulder, leading Cam determinedly across the living room. "We're going directly to bed."
"Well, you're certainly no fun," Diane said with an exaggerated frown. Her tone was gentle, however, when she added, "Do you need anything?"
"No, we're all right. We just needed to escape for awhile."
Diane settled on the sofa as her friend and her lover disappeared around the corner in the direction of the guest room.
What you both need is a few weeks alone together--away from the news people and the White House both .
She sighed as she picked up a magazine, knowing her wish was unlikely to come true.
*****
"I should shower," Cam said as she eased out of her jacket and started to shrug the leather weapon harness off her shoulders.
"You're fine," Blair countered as she moved to her side and lifted the holster free, then placed it over a nearby chair. The guest room was large enough for a queen sized bed, a small dressing table with mirrors, several chairs and an adjoining bathroom. The single window was open and the curtains moved desultorily in the weak summer breeze. “Just come to bed.
Stubbornly, Cam shook her head. “Its been a long day, and I dont want to lie naked next to you until Ive had a shower.
“ Well, I definitely want you naked, Blair conceded. Reaching for Cams hand once again, she turned toward the bathroom and said, “Come on then, Commander.
A few minutes later they stood together beneath the warm spray, almost too tired to talk. Cam leaned forward with both palms against the wall in front of her while the water hit her head and neck.
She almost groaned aloud as Blair began to soap her shoulders and back.
“ God, that feels criminally good.
“ Turn around, Blair said softly. When Cam complied, Blair smoothed her hands, soft with suds, over Cams chest and abdomen.
“ Starting to feel human? Blair questioned softly, sensing Cam relaxing beneath her touch. At another time, the sight of Cam nude with her head thrown back, eyes closed, vulnerable in a way that she seemed with no one else, would have made Blair surge with desire. Tonight, being able to take care of her was satisfying in a way she had barely imagined. The responsibility of loving her was wonderful and terrifying at the same time. Suddenly, she slid her arms around Cams waist and pressed against her, the white froth on Cams body coating her own.
“ Whats this? Cam murmured, feeling Blair tremble.
“ Nothing. I just love you.
Cam smiled and rested her cheek against Blairs. “It feels good when you do.
“ Yes, Blair whispered almost to herself.
Five minutes later they crawled between crisp clean sheets and embraced, face to face. Cam kissed the tip of Blairs nose and sighed.
“ For the record, I want to make love, Cam murmured.
“ But? Blair asked teasingly, settling her head on Cams shoulder as she stroked her chest, finally gently cradling a breast in one palm.
“ Im too damned tired.
“ Well, Blair said as her lids began to close. “Theres always tomorrow.
The last thing Cam did before she surrendered to sleep was to hope that would always be true.
*****
"Good morning," Diane said, surprise apparent in her tone as Cam walked into the kitchen a little after 7:00 the next morning. "I didn't expect to see you up so early. In fact, I expected you to sleep for a week."
"I smelled the coffee." Cam grinned, nodding toward the coffee maker on the counter.
"Ah," Diane said with a smile, lifting her own cup to her lips. She was in the burgundy dressing gown again, but this time she was obviously nude beneath it. The plunging neckline bared a nearly lethal expanse of creamy skin between her full breasts, and the curve of her hip and thigh was tantalizingly outlined in shimmering silk.
Cam averted her gaze and asked, "Do you mind if I take some to Blair?"
"Not at all. In fact, I'd prefer it."
Cam raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Diane smiled fondly. "She's beastly in the morning before coffee, or haven't you noticed?"
"I can't say as I have," Cam replied mildly as she moved to the counter and took down two cups from a glass-enclosed shelf above the sink.
"Very diplomatic, Commander," Diane said, her voice a low purr. "One could take that to mean that you've never seen her first thing in the morning, or that you've never found her to be cranky at that hour."
Cam turned, leaning her hip against the counter and regarded Diane solemnly. "I've seen her first thing in the morning, just not often."
"Something tells me that's going to change."
"I hope so."
Cam poured coffee, feeling Diane watching her. “Thanks," she said when she'd finished. "For the coffee, and for putting us up last night."
"She's my best friend, and I love her."
"I know, and I'm glad. Briefly Cam wondered if those two things were related or if they were, in fact, separate statements. She had never asked Blair if she and Diane had been lovers, and she never would. It didn't matter because it didn't affect what was between her and Blair now. “She needs friends like you."
“ Apparently what she needs most of all, Commander," Diane said emphatically, "is you."
"It's Cam. And if it makes you worry any less, I love her, too."
Diane smiled, and this time the smile was sensuous. Her voice dropped a register as she remarked throatily, "She's very fortunate."
"No. I am."
"Are things going to work out with this latest press brouhaha?" Diane asked suddenly.
Cam was used to keeping her reactions to herself, but the question surprised her. "You know about that?"
"Some. Blair told me about the photograph in the newspaper and the fact that she expects more publicity."
"I doubt that our relationship will remain a secret much longer."
"If I may be so bold... are you ready for that?"
"More than ready."
Diane saluted her with the coffee cup. "As I said, she's very lucky."
At that moment Blair shuffled into the kitchen, dressed only in a long T-shirt that came to mid thigh. She glanced from her lover to her best friend. "Who's lucky? Is that coffee?"
Cam laughed and held out the cup. "Here you go."
Blair frowned when she realized that Cam was barefoot in old clothes that Blair kept at Diane's for emergencies--tight threadbare jeans that didn't button at the top and a shirt that was missing buttons in decidedly dangerous places considering Diane's proximity. Crossing quickly to Cam's side, she took the cup and wrapped her free arm around her lover's waist. "What are you two talking about...or shouldn't I ask?"
Cam kissed her temple lightly and murmured, "Newspaper photographs."
Blair grimaced. "Oh, that. What else."
"Don't worry, love," Diane said lightly. "Once they've had their week of fun with you, they'll move on to something else. In six months, no one will care."
"In six months, my father is going to be in the middle of his reelection campaign. Someone is going to care."
"He can handle it," Cam said with certainty.
"I hope so," Blair said, almost to herself.
Chapter Thirtytwo
Five hours later, Cam, in a two piece charcoal suit and monochrome linen shirt, accompanied by Stark, Savard, Mac, and Felicia, knocked on Blair's door.
"Hi," Blair said when she stepped aside to admit them. For an instant, seeing Cam in her professional mode, she remembered how her lover had looked that morning, disheveled and still sleep-tossed, and she wanted to kiss her. Just because.
Hi," Cam murmured as she passed, the fingers of her right hand brushing the length of Blair's bare forearm.
"There's coffee in the kitchen if anyone wants some," Blair called. "Just help yourself.
A few minutes later, everyone had settled in a loose circle around the low wide coffee table in the sitting area just to the right of the door. Cam sat on the couch next to Blair with Mac on her left. Felicia was next to him in one of the sling back chairs while Stark and Savard occupied a small loveseat on the other side of the table.
"I ran preliminaries on our team this morning," Cam said. "As we all expected, it was fairly nonproductive. I did turn up one interesting fact, however."
Beside her, she felt Mac stiffen and saw Stark's eyes widen with surprise, or alarm. Savard watched her intently. The only person in the room who seemed completely relaxed was Felicia Davis.
"It seems that Fielding was assigned as the FBI liaison in DC three years ago. The Bureau field agent he worked with was Special Agent Patrick Doyle.
"Jesus," Stark exclaimed. "He never said anything about knowing Doyle."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean anything," Mac hastened to add. "It's not like they were old friends or anything. Considering what an asshole Doyle turned out to be, he probably wanted to downplay any relationship they might have had."
Reluctantly, Stark pointed out, “Fielding was with us in San Francisco. And hed just gone off duty the night that Ms. PowBlair and the commander were photographed on the beach. He could have tipped someone to their location.
“ Yes, Mac agreed grudgingly, “but there are plenty of other explanations for that photograph. The Bureau has agents there, and theyd most likely take pictures of anyone with no questions asked if a DC SAC ordered them to.
"At this point," Cam interjected before Mac and Stark ended up at odds, "I consider this only a coincidental association. It could be only a paper link--Fielding might never even have interfaced with Doyle in person. But it bears follow-up. Right now, we can't discount any
potential connections." She had known her agents wouldn't like one of their own being looked at, and she didn't blame them. She would have been unhappy if they'd reacted otherwise. But it had to be done. "Savard? Can you run with it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. How about you two--any progress with my background check?" Cam asked, looking steadily at Stark and Savard.
Savard cleared her throat. "So far, Commander, you're in the clear. We looked at...ah...family members and the list of intimate contacts you provided."
To her credit, Savard neither blushed nor looked away. Then she added, "Other than your association with the escort service in DC, we don't see anything that could potentially be an avenue for blackmail or future coercion."
"For now, we'll accept that as a dead end," Cam responded evenly. "If something turns up that does lead back to me, we'll look further."
"Yes, ma'am."
Turning to her communications director, Cam asked, "Mac?"
He grimaced, his frustration evident. "Id hoped to have more. I finally backtracked the photograph in the Post of you and Blair through the AP's source files and came up with the name of a freelance reporter. Eric Mitchell out a Chicago."
"Name mean anything to anyone?" Cam asked of the room in general. Everyone shook their heads in the negative. She nodded. "Go ahead Mac."
He ran a hand through his blond hair and blew out of breath. "I wish I could. I talked to him an hour ago, and he's uncrackable. I don't think he'd give up a source if President Powell flew out there and confronted him in the news room. The only thing he would tell me is that it came to him via an anonymous email."
"I'm looking at that, Commander," Davis said quietly. “Newspapers arent particularly difficult to hack.
Cam raised an eyebrow but made no comment. "You think there's any value in bracing him in person, Mac?"
Mac shook his head. "Believe me, Commander, I would fly out there this afternoon if I thought it would do any good. He's not going to give us anything."
