“That kid is crazy.”
“Absolutely nutty,” Cooper agreed. He took the glass she offered, took a long swallow.
“And how are you?”
Something he’d always loved about Natalie, her words and her meaning were more aligned than most anyone he’d ever met. It was a cousin to bluntness, but without the swagger; she wasn’t in anyone’s face, had nothing to prove. She just said what she meant. For someone with his gift, that was a wonderful relief.
He took her question the way she meant it, sincerely. “What do you call it when you’re either swimming or drowning, but not sure which yet?”
“Treading water?”
“I guess.”
“What’s bothering you?”
He hesitated. It had been three and a half years since the divorce. They were friends, and co-parented well, but it wasn’t fair to unload about his day. That was for married couples. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Nick,” she said, gesturing at the tent walls, the blankets breathing softly in a draft. “You’re safe. We’re on Enceladus. Talk to me.”
He laughed at that. Then he started and found it hard to stop. He wanted to share the good stuff, the walk down the drive to the West Wing, the feeling of stepping into the Oval Office, the thrill of seeing his words, his thoughts, translated into something that showed up on the evening news. But those parts were inseparable from the conference table battles that fed his growing frustration.
“Keevers and the rest, even Clay, they’re stuck in old-world thinking. So focused on the day-to-day that they’re missing the big picture.” He laughed without humor. “They’re honestly worried about how things will look come election time. And I’m sitting there saying, ‘Guys, shouldn’t we be worrying that there won’t be an election?’ ”
“It’s that bad?”
Cooper paused. Took a swallow of wine. Nodded.
“Then fix it.”
“Huh?”
“Fix it.” She shrugged. “You’ve got the ear of the president of the United States. Use it.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Was it simpler when you were hunting your own kind for Equitable Services?”
“No.”
“All your life you’ve been fighting for a world where our children won’t need to be afraid. I know the last year has been tough on you. But if things are as bad as that, then you need to gear up, soldier.”
He looked at her, this exceptional woman he had loved for more than a decade, through their own ups and downs. Loved passionately once; then, when his gift and his job came between them, loved with respect even as they decided to live separate lives. “Gear up?”
“Yes. And one other thing.” She set her wine glass down. It was a calculated move, carefully considered; he could see it in the play of her muscles, and the way her lips were slightly parted, and the way she leaned forward as she crawled over to—whoa.
Kiss him.
Full and firm, lips soft against his, her red-wine tongue dancing into his mouth. The feeling of it was at once familiar and novel, the electric brush of her upper arm against his as she leaned in, and the smell of her in his nostrils.
She held the kiss long enough to make it clear that it wasn’t a friendly gesture, a peck between old lovers. When she broke it, she looked into his eyes and said, “I’m proud of you.” Then she picked up her wine glass and crawled for the exit. Over her shoulder, she said, “Fix it.”
Huh.
Huh.
Huh.
PRESS BRIEFING
BY PRESS SECRETARY HOLDEN ARCHER
11/24/13, James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Mr. Archer:
Good evening, everyone. As you all know, the situation continues in Cleveland, Fresno, and Tulsa. However, President Clay is personally overseeing recovery efforts.
The president asks that during this season of adversity, we come together as Americans, with the resolve that defines our national character. He has the highest confidence in the National Guard, as well as in the people of Cleveland, Fresno, and Tulsa.
With that, I’ll take a few questions. Jon?
New York Times:
It’s been four days since the hijackings. Do you have further information on the Children of Darwin? And is the president considering military action against them?
Mr. Archer:
Our intelligence community is the finest in the world. I can assure you that this government knows a great deal about them, and that no stone will be left unturned in the hunt for those who so vilely attacked our nation.
Like all terror attacks, the goal was to cause chaos and suffering for ordinary Americans. In that light, these can only be judged a failure; while they have led to temporary shortages, our nation is stronger than ever.
New York Times:
And military action?
Mr. Archer:
Internal security is handled by police, the FBI, and the DAR. I can’t comment on their individual plans. I refer you to them. Yes, Sally?
Washington Post:
What about allegations that—
New York Times:
I’m sorry, a follow-up. Defense department sources confirm that Secretary Owen Leahy has urged military, I repeat, nonpolice, response. Has Secretary Leahy called for the deployment of US troops on American soil, and would the president consider that?
Mr. Archer:
I’m not going to respond to a blind quote. Sally, your question.
Washington Post:
What about allegations that the Children of Darwin are planning further attacks?
Mr. Archer:
I can’t comment on the intentions of a terrorist organization. But I can say that all efforts are being taken to keep American citizens safe.
CBS:
Are the Children of Darwin connected to the New Canaan Holdfast in Wyoming? Are they affiliated with Erik Epstein?
Mr. Archer:
We’ve seen no evidence of that. And let’s remember that the people who live in New Canaan, Mr. Epstein included, are United States citizens. This government respects the rights of all law-abiding citizens, normal or gifted.
NBC:
People in Cleveland are saying that the National Guard has no food to distribute.
Mr. Archer:
The National Guard is setting up camps in parks, churches, and gymnasiums. We ask that everyone exercise good sense when they visit, and understand that their neighbors also need help right now.
NBC:
I’m sorry, you didn’t answer my question. Is there food available in Cleveland?
Mr. Archer:
I, ah, it’s difficult to—I would refer you to the National Guard for operational details.
Associated Press:
There are also reports that guardsmen have threatened crowds.
Mr. Archer:
The National Guard is there to help. If a crowd is a danger to itself or others, it’s possible that they employ nonlethal crowd control measures.