15th Question: Moving On Part 1
Chapter 15th. Moving On - Part 1.
Author Notes: As I cannot stand to make my readers to wait far too long without consolation and following my muse that decided to kick my ass practically yelling to switch on my PC and started typing, I continued with more chapters. Hopefully I won’t receive any event that throwing a bucket of cold water to my flaming muse. She need a delicate approach after all, refusing to be insulted and offended in every way possible no matter she is at wrong. Well actually she is more like a ferocious wild-cat, so yeah, I need to be careful unless I want to end with lots of scars. (^_^)
Warning: As usual Un-Beta-Ed. Meaning still have no beta…and I am on the verge of giving up to find one. So to they who offended by the material of this story or how shockingly-horrible my English, with all respect, please kindly closed the window and left my story alone. They who like it though, please kindly leave a review or any pointers. It could be an idea for my story.
And please a review! I got more than 15.000 people viewing my story with a steady -at least- a hundred people reading each chapter and still less than 50 reviewers in total? I do writing for fun, a hobby that one day hopefully become ‘a dream come true.’ But without any responds from my readers, I won’t know what I need to do over my story. And once again, no flame, please. I know I’m not a perfect and my writing is far to be called adequate but please read and left reviews and do remember the Warning above. Best of all lucks, Arakan.
Moving On - Part 1.
Personally she feels guilty, really guilty to leave Alexandra and focusing to her new goals. But Miranda assured her, Alexandra would be fine with the Editor always on her side, not like Andy would ever doubt something happen to her lover and her daughter when the Dragon Lady in full vigilance mode. Her lover that far wiser than her and far experienced than her, too assure her, she should focus to her current goals so when the time comes, time neither of them wished to happen; they would be prepared for every situation.
So here Andy is, driving her car to pick up Caroline and Cassidy from Dalton and drove them to the Twin’s Weasley’s hotel. Both received approval by Miranda as long as they won’t go away from the hotel’s area, they are fine to stay there until dinner where Miranda or Roy in particular, picked them up. Of course, they too need to finish their homework. With the prospect to gain more knowledge of wizards and magic and everything that supernatural-related, Caroline and Cassidy is exceptionally obedience. Especially when Fred and George welcomed them with a table filled with foods and drinks…and sweets.
“Princesses! And of course, our Andy! Welcome to our palace!” Both boomed complete with arms spread to the sides in silent invitation for hugs from their precious three lovely girls.
“Fred! George!” Caroline laughed as Fred picked her up and twirled her around just like George does to squealing Cassidy. Andy on the other hand smirking with hands on hips, “nice to meet you again boys, however,” her eyes fixed to direction of the table and arched an eyebrow to see the amount of foods that could feed more than few dozen soldiers…and maybe a hundred models including everyone in Runway. “What’s with this amount of foods?”
“Ah now, you know we never likes dieting,” placing down Caroline, Fred winked at Andy. “Don’t worry. The sugars already in healthy-amount per Her Majesty’s order.”
“Why I didn’t surprise Miranda is aware of this?” Rolling her eyes Andy shook her head moving to the table to pick up a plate and didn’t surprise two hands belonged to the only two males in this entire building placing variation of foods on her plate and the girls’ plates. “What we could help you, Andy?” George asked gentlemanly pulling her chair while Fred done it for the girls.
Murmuring “thank you,” Andy waited until both took their seats and choose her words carefully so not to stress the twin girls. “As you know by now our Queen decided to give an open strike to the world, declaring Alexandra as her daughter firstly and later on, ours. I would be out of the job in next two weeks.”
“We heard.” Cassidy chewed her foods with Caroline nodding her head in agreement. “Martha from next class come at us on the lunchtime and asked when mom actually pregnant and how we never tell her.”
“As if.” Both grumbled amusing the three grown-ups on the table, Fred though gestured for Andy to continue, nodding her head in gratitude Andy explained her plans leaving the twin Weasley looks troubled. “Are you sure, Andy?” Fred asked.
“You shouldn’t force yourself,” George added in brotherly tone.
“I’ve thinking about it, Fred and George.” Andy sighed gloomily. “I’ve my own doubt, but I cannot continue running. It is not fair for moms. I’ve worry them for years and…Susie too.”
“We know,” both looked down sadly. “Susie was crying hysterically until Aunt Amelia come and holds her. They were brokenhearted, Headmistress too turned quieter…”
Quenching the feeling of remorse weighted her heart, “I know that is why I will resign from Runway,” pushing her empty plate Andy leaned back into her chair. “I plan to go to London firstly, to talk with moms and maybe…speak with Harry and Hermione, hopefully they could forgive me.”
“Of course they would!” Fred bang the desk starting other occupants but George laid a comforting palm on his twin’s back and looked at Andy with grief-laden-eyes. “You do nothing wrong, Andy. You were a victim and now you are ready to move on. They are our friends, your friends. They won’t judge you negatively by leaving without news for years.” He sighed miserably. “Even we sent letters once in awhile, we too are same like you, Andy. It’s still hard for both of us to go back even for one-day visit.”
“That war not only makes us losing good friends, good people, but tears our family apart.” Fred looked down, hands balling into tight fists. “Hidden secrets for years revealed, people we believed, trusted and have faiths for years, even members of our own families turned out betrayed us in worst possible way. We are so lucky to have your mother to rise up to be a Headmistress, to lead us and protecting Hogwarts in darkest time from inside, and Aunt Amelia with you from outside. There is no way, Harry and Hermione who received a violent betrayal to be so cruel to you when they learned what happen to you.”
“…how’s them?” Andy asked quietly.
“Devastated, barely able to stand,” heaving Fred uncurled his fingers shakily pushing his hairs back even strands of his red hairs continued falling back to slightly covering his eyes that filed with sorrows. “Hermione do nothing but throw herself to her job, unexpectedly she rise through the ranks like a phoenix.”
That cracked a tiny smirk on Andy’s lips. “That’s our Hermione, the brilliant witch.”
“She still idolized you,” George teased playfully pleased the thick air melting bringing back the casual and relax air allowing for Caroline and Cassidy to breathe again although continued watching the discussion in silence.
“And Harry?” Andy watched both men grew silent, their expression darkening and once again Fred’s palms balled into a pair of tight fists so tight that his knuckles turned white. “He changes. Completely. That little boy we met years ago on King Cross Station is nowhere to be seen anymore. He turned ruthless, day-in and day-out chasing every former Death Eaters and dragged them alive on not to receive a trial. Although more often than not, he was dragging them onto the graveyards,” on Andy’s pale look he nodded his head sadly. “The Ultimate Betrayal we received are too much, Andy. And it comes not from people we already suspected,” Fred forced out a bitter laugh, “how ironic, the snooty Draco former-Malfoy and his mother actually are good people but trapped in such situation they cannot even sleep without wands under their pillows. Or how… few Death Eaters actually tortured so much because they refused to follow that madness they went insane.”
“That is how corrupt our world is,” George uttered quietly. The trio went into a long silent until Andy cleared her throat. “So I was thinking that perhaps you two could go with me,” she smiled as they perked up their ears though both Fred and George clearly pained by her suggestion. “But perhaps you two would be better to stay here and watch everyone on my behalf.” Andy grimaced. “I am not sure about the outcome and the less information the public back on Britain knew, the better chance we have. It is not our friends and families I doubted their loyalties.”
“We know Andy.” George assured her, momentary looking to his brother before giving apologetic smile to their friend. “Perhaps we would take the later, just like you said, our experiences taught us the more wild cards we have, the greater chances we could face every situation.”
“We are sorry, Andy.” Fred apologized genuinely.
“Nonsense.” Andy waved off his apology. “I personally am feeling better if you two are here, in same city with my girls.”
“Mmm, and once you returned from London go to us firstly,” George traded a matching identical smirk with Fred who says, “Maybe we could come up with a wonderful job.”
“Oh?” Andy arched her brow challengingly. “Why I got a feeling you two already got an incredible plan behind my back?”
“We both assured you it is completely legal,” both said in unison complete with their right palms over their hearts and left palms went up, heads nodding.
“Learn your lesson, boys?” Caroline teased, snickering as the twin males pouted. “Not funny, Caroline!” both cried out. “You and Cassidy still didn’t see Andy’s wrath! It’s very famous, you know!? Everyone back in Hogwarts would flee whenever our Andy, a prefect since her 4th year, and already Head of Girl since her 6th year, come into same vicinity! It’s like sensing our dooms approaching us!”
“Did mom know?” Cassidy turned to Andy smiling angelically while the brunette blushing to the tip of her ears. “Please don’t let her know, I beg you two.” She cringed as the twin girls got a matching identical devilish smirk, and growls, “Boys.”
“Hey, we are the senior twin, Andy!” Ignoring their protests, “here comes the thing,” Andy sighed, “Shoot me.”
(-*-)
Dropping the girls to her penthouse to avoid the crowd of paparazzi and mass-media already rounding Miranda’s townhouse, Andy make a call to Miranda reporting the girls are now safe and sound inside her penthouse with the Twin Weasley helping Cara to babysit them, she moved into her cousin’s penthouse and using the magical-door send herself into the underground area of the residence of the White House.
“Commander!” Two marines that guarding the doors gives military salutes to Andy who frozen like a deer caught in highlight for two seconds before relaxing herself and gives her own salute to them, while two other men, members of Secret Services after saluting her immediately leading her out of the underground area with one of them reporting to their ‘boss’ that “the Lieutenant is here and moving to the Oval office.”
Making sure to give a quick check her attires would be proper for the White House as even designer-attires but many clothes that is ‘alright’ by Runway’s standard would be scandalous for people inside the most important building on earth, Andy stride confidently unintentionally copying Miranda’s way whenever she entered Elias-Clarke (or any places), as if she owned this place.
She knew she was lead through the outer-route to go to the Oval Office, Andy sent grateful smile to the two Agents that again saluting her as one of them opening the door leading into the Oval Office to meet an old lady whom she knew for so long and immediately brightening to see her. “Andy!”
“Mrs. Landingham!” Andy hugged the short old-lady tightly, relief to see a familiar face.
“How are you sweetie? It’s been awhile not to see or heard anything from you.” Mrs. Landingham tapped her chin, on the troubled look Andy have she smile compassionately. “No need for you to explain, dear. But would you mind to put this old-woman’s heart at ease next time you decide to go and take a vacation?” she winked playfully winning a genuine laughter from Andy. “Old-Woman? Where? I see no old-lady but someone who just turns twenty!”
“And that’s my girl.” Mrs. Landingham patted her shoulder. “And oh, Mr. President currently down in the Situation Room, something about slaughtering a director or something he muttered menacingly for last few days.” Pulling away she waved to the empty office. “Take a chair. Charlie already informing him that you are here and through our young messenger he told me to tell you, ‘have a seat and don’t leave before we meet or I swore I send every fleets on East-Coast to drag you back.’” She went so far mimicking her uncle’s way of speech winning another round of laughter from Andy, “I won’t dream to leave before meeting him, Mrs. Landingham. I personally went here because I need to speak with him firstly.”
“Good. Good. Sit. And I’ll send the cook for snacks and oh, what you prefer? Tea or coffee?”
“I drank enough coffee for today, unless I want to be an energizer-bunny inside the White House with more than hundred reporters stationed not hundred feet from this office, I will choose safe drink that has less caffeinate from coffee.”
“Wise choice.”
(-*-)
Left alone for near a half hour Andy spent her time enjoying three cups of tea and reading Forbes and other magazines her uncle stashed on a low cabinet, twice Mrs. Landingham come to check on her and the last time she introduced her uncle’s new body-man Charlie Young. The dark-skinned young man really respectful to her although Andy could hear how Mrs. Landingham informing him and few other assistants that see her glimpse from one of slightly ajar-doors of this office, wanting to know who is the pretty brunette in nice designer-clothes seated regally inside the Oval Office.
Predictably they want to know further but they only received nothing but Mrs. Landingham informed them that Andy related to the family and worked for government even she was currently inactive. Only Charlie that been informed the details of how close-related Andy to the First Couple, he of course knew better instead opening his mouth, also, a little detail of her military experience only earned Andy more respect from the young man.
Approaching footsteps with few of them sounded familiar for Andy, the brunette put aside the magazine and the teacup and rose to her feet standing with hands clasped in front of her she mentally cringe to see few uniformed-men moving with her uncle, Leo and three males Senior Staffs while C.J. and Mandy emerged from the door that linked to Leo’s office.
“Andréa!” The President boomed as soon as he entered hugging her with laughter, genuinely joyful to see his precious niece inside his office.
“Mr. President.” Andy replied cringing as her uncle pulled away giving the infamous look of a puppy and she sighed. “Uncle.” She rolled her eyes even Jed laugh and turned around facing the uniformed-men pilling into his office. “Gentlemen, please meet my niece, Andy Sachs.”
Some gasping apparently recognizing the name but all of them immediately stood straighter even the Admiral among them and a row of military salutes beamed back to Andy who stepped away from her uncle to give more room for her to salute them in return.
“Andy.” Leo stepped aside introducing a tall dark-skinned man in Admiral-uniform, “Please meet Admiral Fitz Wallace.”
“Admiral.” Andy saluted him with the Admiral saluted her back. “Lt. Commander Sachs,” dropping his hand he offered it to Andy. “It is an honor to at last to meet the famous Enforcer. Too bad I was away when you teach my men.”
“I too am honored to meet you, Admiral.” Andy traded a handshake with him, pulling away her hand she looked to her uncle, “did I come in wrong time, uncle?”
“Of course not,” the President smirked as Josh grinning and says, “Mr. President called everyone to come with him to introduce and show off his niece, Andy.”
“I didn’t surprise.” Andy deadpanned prompting chuckles; she endured more than ten minutes of pleasantries and light chats, blushing over praises she received and the blush darkened when Admiral Wallace gives her an offer for a job for his parting words. Andy only smiled politely until Leo led the staffs into his office and closed the door behind him although actually he is quite entertained as Toby, Sam and Josh instantly kneeling with ears pressed to the door wanting to eavesdrop while C.J. rolled her eyes and Mandy muttering, “let’s find your girlfriend, I know she is somewhere in this building and my spider-sense told me we will need your girl immediately.”
“She’s not my girlfriend!” C.J. denied vehemently even she was blushing to the root of her hairs.
“Ladies, bring your arguments out of my office would you please?” Leo shooed the two bickering friends and went to his desk, mumbling “Don’t ask,” to his assistant who staring openly to the trio…males.
(-*-)
After an hour having his niece, the President watched until Andy and the agents guarding her out of view and shouted, “Leo!” his aide materialized into his office before the echo of his shout ended. “Yes, Mr. President?”
“Get the kids inside and I want Commander Harper too!” Unbuttoning his jacket Jed rounded his desk, slinging his jacket on his chair and looked up in time Leo, Toby and Sam closing the three inner-doors with Kate Harper closing the glass door from walkway. “I know most of you didn’t get pay to help my personal issue let alone my family’s issue, but I need all of your helps from now on.” He pursed his lips tiptoeing few times as he put his hands on his hips watching his staffs trading looks and Mandy was the one who said, “Andy is one of us, Mr. President. She always is. She is related to you and that means she is a member of the First Family.”
“It’s our job, Mr. President.” Sam added adamantly.
“Good.” He nodded his head sternly. “By now all of you in this office personally aware what kind of horrible past my niece faced.” He saw all of them give a firm nod though few flinches. “She was running whole years.”
“Reasonably and acceptable.” Toby commented before he blinked. “Was?”
“She decided to fight back, my little princess of warrior gained back her flame and she ready to quake the world.” He gives a fleeting look to Leo who gives a silent nod before regarding entire room again suppressing a smile of how many of them seem satisfied and visibly silently cheering for Andy’s decision. “C.J. my little warrior told me that Miranda already make her move.”
“I heard it few times already today,” C.J. replied using her reporting-voice. “Several reporters were openly gossiping that THE Miranda Priestly come into her office with a baby tucked on her left arm, however it still unconfirmed who is the child, how old the child, whose the child’s name, the gender, although speculations saying the child is around a year or two.”
“What else?” Leo inquired.
“Ah, wait,” the tall Press Secretary flipped open her leather-folder evidently jotting down whatever gossips that reached her ears and effortlessly put on her reading eyeglasses. “I make few casual calls to my sources in New York. Elias-Clarke’s CEO Irv Ravits does have unhealthy vendetta to Miranda Priestly and he clearly have a day of jubilee hearing this news, he would take a visit down to Runway to check did this rumor is true or not.” She looked up to the President. “However, knowing the reporters already flocking down Elias-Clarke’s lobby and several photographers and paparazzi already take pictures when Miranda went out with Alexandra to meet Donatella over lunch, next morning the pictures would be printed out. Right now it’s already circulating on the net.”
They watched the President pacing right and left behind his desk, face contorted in concentration. “What else?” he stopped and looked around. “Any news about the damn cooker? Or how about Miranda’s first ex-husband?”
“Commander.” Leo nodded to Kate who squared her shoulders. “Per Zoey’s instruction to be a mediator with Fred and George Weasley I found out they cast a tracking-charm on Nate Cooper and Andy’s former-friends.”
The President’s eyebrow hiked up. “When those events happen?”
Mentally cringing Kate reported to him what Fred and George’s witness and overheard on the bar where the first time they learned Andy was in the same city and nation with them.
A “Son of a bitch!” shouted by the enraged uncle jolting everyone aside Leo that immediately tried to calm him, “Mr. President,” he said sternly warning him not to lose control in fear he will blinded by his rage and directed it to his staffs instead the perpetrator. Even it does brought back his focus but the angry uncle’s eyes ablaze with fury. “How the hell this could happen! I thought you paid him a nice visit, commander!”
“I’m sorry, sir.” Kate lowered her gaze knowing even she wasn’t in U.S. when the President gives his order, it was her men. “I dropped the ball.”
“Would you please to pick it up?” Jed hissed.
“Yes sir.”
That is what they like from Kate Harper. The fact the woman doesn’t give any excuses when even it was her men that failed them and not her personally; she genuinely apologized and would correct the mistake personally if she must and as fast as she could which means, immediate. Her sincerity does calm Jed Bartlet a bit, it’s frustrating, really frustrated him to no end. He is the most powerful man in this planet by political-power and perhaps, military. And yet, the fact that he cannot even claim he has a sister he love and a niece let alone sister-in-law he never met or another niece as Andy often brought up the subject of her sister from her other mother, frustrated him to no end. He is not a violent man, he love peace, but he does have a limit for his patience.
“And that Jeremiah Dawson?” he demanded but less sharper.
“I’m in closed-communication with Miranda Priestly. She hinted she wished to have her chance. He is still the father of her daughters.”
“And your answer?”
“I’ll keep a close monitor especially by now she is romantically involved with Andy. She understands.”
“Give her the chance she wants but you shall be there to carry on the backup plan or even to rough that man few times if you must. Keep close contact with Miranda, my wife love her, my niece in love with her and my daughters all worshiped her. So have her numbers in speed dial and your men 24/7 guarding her and the girls.”
“Yes sir.”
“How about the cooker?” Josh asked carefully not wanting invoked the notorious wrath his boss has. “Should we do something about it?”
“I vote for Andy to take care of him.” Mandy said winning Toby practically singing, “I’m sold.”
“Why?” Sam looked at the pair with strange looks. “It’s only giving more stress to her.”
“Which is why I suggested for Andy to take care of him,” Mandy retorted casually. “Let our girl return home with a bang. Ain’t that the boys’ way?” she smirked devilishly as it got a tiny grin from the President. “Sorry sir, but I’m an attorney, we the attorney-girls have our way to drag out the truth and bitch-slap it to the perpetrator.”
“And you would take care of the legal procedure, yes Mandy?” the President baited with a tiny grin on the fiery female-attorney.
“Give me two staffs hopefully one of them is this Texan spitfire I noticed from Federal Attorney’s office and a direct connection to the New York’s Public Prosecutor I’ll bring the best of the best attorney, and I think she knew Miranda too.”
“Who?” Sam asked.
“Alex Cabot.” Mandy grinned pure devilishly, “And the one from the Feds would be Abbie Carmichael. With them in my team they have more trusted friends and even few judges in our pockets.”
“Who’s our Judge for the Special Court?” The President looked at Leo who tapped his chin. “Assuming with the base of field is on New York, we got Lena Petrovsky.”
Few attorneys inside the office immediately cringes and Sam, “Well,” he straightened his suits and sniffed. “If it is Her Honorable Lena Petrovsky,” folding his arms on his chest, “due my experience as an attorney, I could tell you no sane lawyers wants to face her sans they really got paid many zeroes or lots attentions from media.”
“Anyone could guess who?” Leo asked. “If the news of Andy is our girl break to the public or for anything that related to ‘you-know-what’, who wants to be the cooker or whomever we would face later on, be their attorneys?”
“Trevor Langan.” Mandy grinned wider as Josh cried out, “he’s a media-whore!”
“So predictable,” Kate commented quietly.
Jed traded a meaningful look with Leo who nod his head and turned to Mandy. “Got your girls, we’ll talk about the HQ for New York.”
“Yes sir.” Mandy nodded firmly with ear-to-ear splitting grin.
“Next issue, my niece would fly to London in three days.” The President looked pointedly to Kate who understands his silent look. “Captain Rafael has flying-license to fly any military planes or private-jet. His job back in 33rd Blackbird required it. He will fly Andy to our military base on Britain, I will call our boys on the ground to be ready for her arrival and guard her as long as she stayed there.”
“And the next issue that she wished to return to her spot in the Blackbird. Joining the boys-in-uniform again, but personally I don’t want it. Of course I want we used her talents and skills but not in Blackbird anymore.” The President pursed his lips, clasping his palms and rubbing it few times. “How’s the Twin British?”
“They are ready anytime, sir. They want times to read thoroughly the contracts.” Kate got a grim look. “From what I learned they have quite experiences of brutal betrayals, I cannot blame them to be extra careful. With this process I have no doubt they would put their signatures after making a call to me and gives adjustments.”
“They’ll work with us, undercover, well budget and got millions of IDs if necessary. Do remind them that. And they have a really huge privilege. I don’t give a damn care they started throwing corpses but I want this country is a safe place for everyone, especially my family.”
“Yes sir.”
“Claudia-Jean!”
“Yes sir.” C.J. squared her shoulders as attention turned to her.
“Keep everything under radar for now but be prepared for the bomb explodes. Be sure to remind them Andréa Sachs is my goddamn niece and they have no rights to chase her around to get a scoop.”
“I need to work closely with Mandy and do few frequent visits to New York to make sure the reporters there understand your message, Mr. President.”
“Do everything necessary,” said the President looking to Leo who looked to C.J. “You too in my office with Mandy and Commander Harper after this.” On the three women’s nods, Leo looked back to the President. “Anything else, sir?”
“That’s all for now. Just keep your phones on ‘cuz I will ring it even you all a hair away from your deaths and you got paid to pick up my call!”
A collective “Yes sir” rang inside his office.
(-*-)
Once everyone inside Leo’s office, “Alright,” Leo turned around, “Josh you would work with us to plan the budgets.”
“Already half-way,” Josh replied.
“Toby and Sam keep eyes and ears open from any movement from Senates and Congresses,” resting his butt against the front of his desk, the Chief of Staff folded his arms. “You all know and well-aware some of them were related to the ‘Assemblies’ that worked for Magical and all Supernatural Communities. Even back then Andy was and right now still is a member of the Blackbird, yet the President and myself has difficulty to locate her. We got thorns on our sides. So beware.”
“We’ll do, Leo.” Sam assured him with a firm nod from Toby. “Definitely.”
“It’s time for the assistant-rank to be noticed, hinted and informed.” Leo took a deep breath. “Remind them they already signed their contracts. Until Andy returned from London everything could possible to blow up on our faces and situation would spiral out of control. So be sure to make everything is all-right.” On their firm nods, “the ladies stayed, you boys do your job.”
“Aye sir,” said Toby pushing Sam and Josh out of the office, they got lots of works since beginning and this extra-job only put more pressures.
Now left alone with three women inside his office Leo looked around. “Mandy.” He tempted her firstly.
“We need a legal team Leo, not only for this case but if the project which from Josh clearly a half-way to finish the budget draft it would be formed sooner than later,” Mandy said without a pause.
“Are you sure about your candidates?” asked C.J. moving to lean on against a comfortable chair inside Leo’s office, hugging herself with her folder under her left armpit facing her female-lawyer-friend. “We cannot afford for them to back off even after attending, oh, I don’t know, an interview of some kind of lies we could come up with.”
“They all determinate women to put up fairness and justices even that means they needed to get lock into a prison,” Mandy went up to her candidates defense. “At least Alex Cabot had entered prison because she was frustrated unable to nail her case.”
“Even the privilege this special team is as high as what Secret Service and C.I.A. have in combine, we didn’t want to produce more criminals from our own men, Mandy.” Leo reminded her. “You think they would up to the quick paces?”
“Most of my candidates have their own shares as A.D.A. in New York cruelest and brutal division of SVU, Leo.” Mandy turned at him, fighting to win her case. “I know if we are talking about supernatural-cases it could be hundred times more brutal than what they got, but at least they have the experiences for years to face such cruelty and no need for us to train a newbie that would go insane or worse break it to the public!”
On the skeptical look C.J. and Leo traded, “I’m with the Counselor,” Kate surprised them by her support went to Mandy who too visibly look surprise. “Per your request Leo and the President’s order, I go through several thousands of officers we could trust. Few names already come to me, from 2 - 6 Precincts, Detective Jo Polyznack and from 1 - 6 Precincts, Detective Olivia Benson. Per your personal request and the President’s order, I only filter and keep my eyes on the female officers firstly before moving on to the males as we didn’t want, hopefully Andy took the spot in this team, to scare Andy to need working with males she doesn’t know and completely strangers.”
“Who are they?”
“Detective Jo Polyznack still new to be a detective but she is really talented and have a terrible pride that she wouldn’t back off even in face of any supernatural-beings. She too is a partner of Blair Warner.”
“The billionaire?” Leo’s eyebrows jumped.
“Yes. I hesitated due Ms. Warner is one of the funders. It seems just like the rumor; Ms. Warner is quite an open-minded person.”
“Indeed she is,” Leo pondered, recalling the bubbly-blonde that on first glance many would simply believing she is nothing but a spoiled-rich-woman and quite an airheaded-flirtatious. “And the next detective?”
“Detective Olivia Benson is from the New York SVU,” Kate smiled as understanding dawned why she supported Mandy. “She stayed there for quite long time, far longer than any members and the standard. I think someone as dedicated as her qualified to receive a better position, payment and of course, rank.”
“Strong female?” C.J. inquired.
“Both of them yes,” Kate smirked teasingly, “although compare to me they still need a long way to go.”
“I won’t doubt that, Kate,” Leo chuckled shaking his head lightly of how this two women could dancing around and yet flirting back-and-forth shamelessly in front of so many witnesses although Leo knew C.J. more often than not simply blurting out what popping inside her head and Kate happily flirted her back in return. Mandy was rolling her eyes, look to Leo and mouthed, ‘See? Where’s the ‘not my girlfriend’!?’ giving a warning look to silence the sulking female-attorney, “Alright, commander, you gathered your female-officers and candidates. Mandy too, bring all those girls down to New York if your candidates weren’t there already. C.J. clear your day after Andy left or make sure you got an opening in your schedule. I will call the twin British allies of us to use their place for whatever plan you got. You three would go there and interview them. Remember, low profile. Create something you come up with while emphasizing that this gathering, meeting or tea-party, would result they all to keep their mouths shuts of whatever hell they learned.”
“Yes sir.”
“And C.J. if the news does breakout, be sure to ‘hide’ Andy’s name that related her to her moms. The President and First Lady very adamant to pay their debts to Andy’s moms, meaning, this time it’s their job to protect the two British’s ladies.”
“Sure thing, Leo.”
Watching them exiting his office Leo picked up his desk phone, dialing numbers he memorized since few days ago and pleased as the call got picked up on the second ring, “Fred and George? Hi, yeah, this is the ol’ Leo and he is in need of a help…”
(-*-)
(New York)
On the fourth day after her visit to her uncle Andy lifted up the suitcases and locking her apartment door behind her, she didn’t want to be faltered on her step, on her determination to move on, that was why she let Alexandra taken by Miranda since yesterday living on the Townhouse with her girls.
She found her replacement since two days ago, the girl have experience already assisting an Editor-in-Chief on her previous job although her skills to follow Miranda’s instructions still doubtful and not yet fruitful. But Miranda had ordered her to leave; the older woman cannot stand for her lover to leave for unknown length-of-times, yet the quicker Andy leave the faster she could return to New York. That is what she, no, they beliefs and hopes.
Fred and George too were invited by Miranda to stay in her guest-bedrooms, delighting the girls whom depressed that Andy need to leave. They love her and always think she is far better to be on their mother’s side instead Stephen or even their father. Also, she is the mother of their youngest sister, of course they think it is natural for Andy to live with them and not away from them let alone, across the ocean.
Meeting Gina Toscano on the underground parking-lot Andy climbed into the unmark sedan, only having Zoey to send her away through military airport, inside the airplane-hangar agents gives her a military salute as she climbed into the private-jet that would bring her to London.
Standing next to the car watching the plane moving out of the hangar and running down the landing strip before takeoff Zoey hugged herself making her personal-guard concerned with her being. “Are you cold, Zoey?” Gina asked.
“…did you see Andy’s expression, Gina?” Zoey asked ignoring her detail’s question. A blink, “Yes,” Gina replied slowly, trying to understand her young-charge whom is a quite an enigma. “She changed, evidently determinate, but it’s like I see a different person. Very firm and regal.” Gina coughed into her right fist to cover how her cheeks went pink, true be told she actually felt her heart skip a beat when she saw Andy today. Andy she saw this morning look so different from the usual Andy Sachs, this Andy… enthralled everyone who saw her.
“…She’s so pretty…” Zoey said tilting her head to gaze up to the early morning sky watching until the plane that bringing her most favorite and beloved cousin vanished from view. “That’s the real Andy, Gina. Always tall and strong no matter facing horrible time, so confident, Andy you see today is Andréa McGonagall Bones Sachs.” She rotated her head to gives a sideway look to her startled agent, “that’s the real look of the Lieutenant Commander Sachs, Gina. The youngest and most legendary Enforcer in her generation,” smiling Zoey looked up again to the sky, “…sis will be fine. I know she will. That look…she always has that look whenever she enters a battle she knew she will win.”
“She’ll return.” Gina smiled in understanding.
“Ah. She will.”
(-*-)
Somewhere inside an upscale Townhouse across the city, a pair of icy blue saw in distance of a private-jet flying across the sky disappearing behind thick clouds, Miranda’s eyes that now have its pupils like a slit watering as she tightened her hold around a sleeping baby-girl with her girls clutching her elbows, “please,” Miranda whispered, “please return to us, to me, Andréa.” Closing her eyes she let a single tear rolled down the corner of her right eye disappearing under her jaw. “This is your home. Remember that, my love.”
Caroline looked at her twin sadly, Cassidy already busy muffling her sobs, rounding her mother Caroline hugged her tightly while Fred and George that seated on the stairs in front of Miranda’s study hung their heads low. Their Andy need to meet her family and friends to inform the real reason of her sudden and abrupt departure without any news, to tell them how she lived a false life and to bring the fact of how she has Alexandra. They could do nothing but to wait and have faiths on their friends. To help their friend who lived so miserably for years to move on…and not to crush her.
Author Notes: As I cannot stand to make my readers to wait far too long without consolation and following my muse that decided to kick my ass practically yelling to switch on my PC and started typing, I continued with more chapters. Hopefully I won’t receive any event that throwing a bucket of cold water to my flaming muse. She need a delicate approach after all, refusing to be insulted and offended in every way possible no matter she is at wrong. Well actually she is more like a ferocious wild-cat, so yeah, I need to be careful unless I want to end with lots of scars. (^_^)
Warning: As usual Un-Beta-Ed. Meaning still have no beta…and I am on the verge of giving up to find one. So to they who offended by the material of this story or how shockingly-horrible my English, with all respect, please kindly closed the window and left my story alone. They who like it though, please kindly leave a review or any pointers. It could be an idea for my story.
And please a review! I got more than 15.000 people viewing my story with a steady -at least- a hundred people reading each chapter and still less than 50 reviewers in total? I do writing for fun, a hobby that one day hopefully become ‘a dream come true.’ But without any responds from my readers, I won’t know what I need to do over my story. And once again, no flame, please. I know I’m not a perfect and my writing is far to be called adequate but please read and left reviews and do remember the Warning above. Best of all lucks, Arakan.
Moving On - Part 1.
Personally she feels guilty, really guilty to leave Alexandra and focusing to her new goals. But Miranda assured her, Alexandra would be fine with the Editor always on her side, not like Andy would ever doubt something happen to her lover and her daughter when the Dragon Lady in full vigilance mode. Her lover that far wiser than her and far experienced than her, too assure her, she should focus to her current goals so when the time comes, time neither of them wished to happen; they would be prepared for every situation.
So here Andy is, driving her car to pick up Caroline and Cassidy from Dalton and drove them to the Twin’s Weasley’s hotel. Both received approval by Miranda as long as they won’t go away from the hotel’s area, they are fine to stay there until dinner where Miranda or Roy in particular, picked them up. Of course, they too need to finish their homework. With the prospect to gain more knowledge of wizards and magic and everything that supernatural-related, Caroline and Cassidy is exceptionally obedience. Especially when Fred and George welcomed them with a table filled with foods and drinks…and sweets.
“Princesses! And of course, our Andy! Welcome to our palace!” Both boomed complete with arms spread to the sides in silent invitation for hugs from their precious three lovely girls.
“Fred! George!” Caroline laughed as Fred picked her up and twirled her around just like George does to squealing Cassidy. Andy on the other hand smirking with hands on hips, “nice to meet you again boys, however,” her eyes fixed to direction of the table and arched an eyebrow to see the amount of foods that could feed more than few dozen soldiers…and maybe a hundred models including everyone in Runway. “What’s with this amount of foods?”
“Ah now, you know we never likes dieting,” placing down Caroline, Fred winked at Andy. “Don’t worry. The sugars already in healthy-amount per Her Majesty’s order.”
“Why I didn’t surprise Miranda is aware of this?” Rolling her eyes Andy shook her head moving to the table to pick up a plate and didn’t surprise two hands belonged to the only two males in this entire building placing variation of foods on her plate and the girls’ plates. “What we could help you, Andy?” George asked gentlemanly pulling her chair while Fred done it for the girls.
Murmuring “thank you,” Andy waited until both took their seats and choose her words carefully so not to stress the twin girls. “As you know by now our Queen decided to give an open strike to the world, declaring Alexandra as her daughter firstly and later on, ours. I would be out of the job in next two weeks.”
“We heard.” Cassidy chewed her foods with Caroline nodding her head in agreement. “Martha from next class come at us on the lunchtime and asked when mom actually pregnant and how we never tell her.”
“As if.” Both grumbled amusing the three grown-ups on the table, Fred though gestured for Andy to continue, nodding her head in gratitude Andy explained her plans leaving the twin Weasley looks troubled. “Are you sure, Andy?” Fred asked.
“You shouldn’t force yourself,” George added in brotherly tone.
“I’ve thinking about it, Fred and George.” Andy sighed gloomily. “I’ve my own doubt, but I cannot continue running. It is not fair for moms. I’ve worry them for years and…Susie too.”
“We know,” both looked down sadly. “Susie was crying hysterically until Aunt Amelia come and holds her. They were brokenhearted, Headmistress too turned quieter…”
Quenching the feeling of remorse weighted her heart, “I know that is why I will resign from Runway,” pushing her empty plate Andy leaned back into her chair. “I plan to go to London firstly, to talk with moms and maybe…speak with Harry and Hermione, hopefully they could forgive me.”
“Of course they would!” Fred bang the desk starting other occupants but George laid a comforting palm on his twin’s back and looked at Andy with grief-laden-eyes. “You do nothing wrong, Andy. You were a victim and now you are ready to move on. They are our friends, your friends. They won’t judge you negatively by leaving without news for years.” He sighed miserably. “Even we sent letters once in awhile, we too are same like you, Andy. It’s still hard for both of us to go back even for one-day visit.”
“That war not only makes us losing good friends, good people, but tears our family apart.” Fred looked down, hands balling into tight fists. “Hidden secrets for years revealed, people we believed, trusted and have faiths for years, even members of our own families turned out betrayed us in worst possible way. We are so lucky to have your mother to rise up to be a Headmistress, to lead us and protecting Hogwarts in darkest time from inside, and Aunt Amelia with you from outside. There is no way, Harry and Hermione who received a violent betrayal to be so cruel to you when they learned what happen to you.”
“…how’s them?” Andy asked quietly.
“Devastated, barely able to stand,” heaving Fred uncurled his fingers shakily pushing his hairs back even strands of his red hairs continued falling back to slightly covering his eyes that filed with sorrows. “Hermione do nothing but throw herself to her job, unexpectedly she rise through the ranks like a phoenix.”
That cracked a tiny smirk on Andy’s lips. “That’s our Hermione, the brilliant witch.”
“She still idolized you,” George teased playfully pleased the thick air melting bringing back the casual and relax air allowing for Caroline and Cassidy to breathe again although continued watching the discussion in silence.
“And Harry?” Andy watched both men grew silent, their expression darkening and once again Fred’s palms balled into a pair of tight fists so tight that his knuckles turned white. “He changes. Completely. That little boy we met years ago on King Cross Station is nowhere to be seen anymore. He turned ruthless, day-in and day-out chasing every former Death Eaters and dragged them alive on not to receive a trial. Although more often than not, he was dragging them onto the graveyards,” on Andy’s pale look he nodded his head sadly. “The Ultimate Betrayal we received are too much, Andy. And it comes not from people we already suspected,” Fred forced out a bitter laugh, “how ironic, the snooty Draco former-Malfoy and his mother actually are good people but trapped in such situation they cannot even sleep without wands under their pillows. Or how… few Death Eaters actually tortured so much because they refused to follow that madness they went insane.”
“That is how corrupt our world is,” George uttered quietly. The trio went into a long silent until Andy cleared her throat. “So I was thinking that perhaps you two could go with me,” she smiled as they perked up their ears though both Fred and George clearly pained by her suggestion. “But perhaps you two would be better to stay here and watch everyone on my behalf.” Andy grimaced. “I am not sure about the outcome and the less information the public back on Britain knew, the better chance we have. It is not our friends and families I doubted their loyalties.”
“We know Andy.” George assured her, momentary looking to his brother before giving apologetic smile to their friend. “Perhaps we would take the later, just like you said, our experiences taught us the more wild cards we have, the greater chances we could face every situation.”
“We are sorry, Andy.” Fred apologized genuinely.
“Nonsense.” Andy waved off his apology. “I personally am feeling better if you two are here, in same city with my girls.”
“Mmm, and once you returned from London go to us firstly,” George traded a matching identical smirk with Fred who says, “Maybe we could come up with a wonderful job.”
“Oh?” Andy arched her brow challengingly. “Why I got a feeling you two already got an incredible plan behind my back?”
“We both assured you it is completely legal,” both said in unison complete with their right palms over their hearts and left palms went up, heads nodding.
“Learn your lesson, boys?” Caroline teased, snickering as the twin males pouted. “Not funny, Caroline!” both cried out. “You and Cassidy still didn’t see Andy’s wrath! It’s very famous, you know!? Everyone back in Hogwarts would flee whenever our Andy, a prefect since her 4th year, and already Head of Girl since her 6th year, come into same vicinity! It’s like sensing our dooms approaching us!”
“Did mom know?” Cassidy turned to Andy smiling angelically while the brunette blushing to the tip of her ears. “Please don’t let her know, I beg you two.” She cringed as the twin girls got a matching identical devilish smirk, and growls, “Boys.”
“Hey, we are the senior twin, Andy!” Ignoring their protests, “here comes the thing,” Andy sighed, “Shoot me.”
(-*-)
Dropping the girls to her penthouse to avoid the crowd of paparazzi and mass-media already rounding Miranda’s townhouse, Andy make a call to Miranda reporting the girls are now safe and sound inside her penthouse with the Twin Weasley helping Cara to babysit them, she moved into her cousin’s penthouse and using the magical-door send herself into the underground area of the residence of the White House.
“Commander!” Two marines that guarding the doors gives military salutes to Andy who frozen like a deer caught in highlight for two seconds before relaxing herself and gives her own salute to them, while two other men, members of Secret Services after saluting her immediately leading her out of the underground area with one of them reporting to their ‘boss’ that “the Lieutenant is here and moving to the Oval office.”
Making sure to give a quick check her attires would be proper for the White House as even designer-attires but many clothes that is ‘alright’ by Runway’s standard would be scandalous for people inside the most important building on earth, Andy stride confidently unintentionally copying Miranda’s way whenever she entered Elias-Clarke (or any places), as if she owned this place.
She knew she was lead through the outer-route to go to the Oval Office, Andy sent grateful smile to the two Agents that again saluting her as one of them opening the door leading into the Oval Office to meet an old lady whom she knew for so long and immediately brightening to see her. “Andy!”
“Mrs. Landingham!” Andy hugged the short old-lady tightly, relief to see a familiar face.
“How are you sweetie? It’s been awhile not to see or heard anything from you.” Mrs. Landingham tapped her chin, on the troubled look Andy have she smile compassionately. “No need for you to explain, dear. But would you mind to put this old-woman’s heart at ease next time you decide to go and take a vacation?” she winked playfully winning a genuine laughter from Andy. “Old-Woman? Where? I see no old-lady but someone who just turns twenty!”
“And that’s my girl.” Mrs. Landingham patted her shoulder. “And oh, Mr. President currently down in the Situation Room, something about slaughtering a director or something he muttered menacingly for last few days.” Pulling away she waved to the empty office. “Take a chair. Charlie already informing him that you are here and through our young messenger he told me to tell you, ‘have a seat and don’t leave before we meet or I swore I send every fleets on East-Coast to drag you back.’” She went so far mimicking her uncle’s way of speech winning another round of laughter from Andy, “I won’t dream to leave before meeting him, Mrs. Landingham. I personally went here because I need to speak with him firstly.”
“Good. Good. Sit. And I’ll send the cook for snacks and oh, what you prefer? Tea or coffee?”
“I drank enough coffee for today, unless I want to be an energizer-bunny inside the White House with more than hundred reporters stationed not hundred feet from this office, I will choose safe drink that has less caffeinate from coffee.”
“Wise choice.”
(-*-)
Left alone for near a half hour Andy spent her time enjoying three cups of tea and reading Forbes and other magazines her uncle stashed on a low cabinet, twice Mrs. Landingham come to check on her and the last time she introduced her uncle’s new body-man Charlie Young. The dark-skinned young man really respectful to her although Andy could hear how Mrs. Landingham informing him and few other assistants that see her glimpse from one of slightly ajar-doors of this office, wanting to know who is the pretty brunette in nice designer-clothes seated regally inside the Oval Office.
Predictably they want to know further but they only received nothing but Mrs. Landingham informed them that Andy related to the family and worked for government even she was currently inactive. Only Charlie that been informed the details of how close-related Andy to the First Couple, he of course knew better instead opening his mouth, also, a little detail of her military experience only earned Andy more respect from the young man.
Approaching footsteps with few of them sounded familiar for Andy, the brunette put aside the magazine and the teacup and rose to her feet standing with hands clasped in front of her she mentally cringe to see few uniformed-men moving with her uncle, Leo and three males Senior Staffs while C.J. and Mandy emerged from the door that linked to Leo’s office.
“Andréa!” The President boomed as soon as he entered hugging her with laughter, genuinely joyful to see his precious niece inside his office.
“Mr. President.” Andy replied cringing as her uncle pulled away giving the infamous look of a puppy and she sighed. “Uncle.” She rolled her eyes even Jed laugh and turned around facing the uniformed-men pilling into his office. “Gentlemen, please meet my niece, Andy Sachs.”
Some gasping apparently recognizing the name but all of them immediately stood straighter even the Admiral among them and a row of military salutes beamed back to Andy who stepped away from her uncle to give more room for her to salute them in return.
“Andy.” Leo stepped aside introducing a tall dark-skinned man in Admiral-uniform, “Please meet Admiral Fitz Wallace.”
“Admiral.” Andy saluted him with the Admiral saluted her back. “Lt. Commander Sachs,” dropping his hand he offered it to Andy. “It is an honor to at last to meet the famous Enforcer. Too bad I was away when you teach my men.”
“I too am honored to meet you, Admiral.” Andy traded a handshake with him, pulling away her hand she looked to her uncle, “did I come in wrong time, uncle?”
“Of course not,” the President smirked as Josh grinning and says, “Mr. President called everyone to come with him to introduce and show off his niece, Andy.”
“I didn’t surprise.” Andy deadpanned prompting chuckles; she endured more than ten minutes of pleasantries and light chats, blushing over praises she received and the blush darkened when Admiral Wallace gives her an offer for a job for his parting words. Andy only smiled politely until Leo led the staffs into his office and closed the door behind him although actually he is quite entertained as Toby, Sam and Josh instantly kneeling with ears pressed to the door wanting to eavesdrop while C.J. rolled her eyes and Mandy muttering, “let’s find your girlfriend, I know she is somewhere in this building and my spider-sense told me we will need your girl immediately.”
“She’s not my girlfriend!” C.J. denied vehemently even she was blushing to the root of her hairs.
“Ladies, bring your arguments out of my office would you please?” Leo shooed the two bickering friends and went to his desk, mumbling “Don’t ask,” to his assistant who staring openly to the trio…males.
(-*-)
After an hour having his niece, the President watched until Andy and the agents guarding her out of view and shouted, “Leo!” his aide materialized into his office before the echo of his shout ended. “Yes, Mr. President?”
“Get the kids inside and I want Commander Harper too!” Unbuttoning his jacket Jed rounded his desk, slinging his jacket on his chair and looked up in time Leo, Toby and Sam closing the three inner-doors with Kate Harper closing the glass door from walkway. “I know most of you didn’t get pay to help my personal issue let alone my family’s issue, but I need all of your helps from now on.” He pursed his lips tiptoeing few times as he put his hands on his hips watching his staffs trading looks and Mandy was the one who said, “Andy is one of us, Mr. President. She always is. She is related to you and that means she is a member of the First Family.”
“It’s our job, Mr. President.” Sam added adamantly.
“Good.” He nodded his head sternly. “By now all of you in this office personally aware what kind of horrible past my niece faced.” He saw all of them give a firm nod though few flinches. “She was running whole years.”
“Reasonably and acceptable.” Toby commented before he blinked. “Was?”
“She decided to fight back, my little princess of warrior gained back her flame and she ready to quake the world.” He gives a fleeting look to Leo who gives a silent nod before regarding entire room again suppressing a smile of how many of them seem satisfied and visibly silently cheering for Andy’s decision. “C.J. my little warrior told me that Miranda already make her move.”
“I heard it few times already today,” C.J. replied using her reporting-voice. “Several reporters were openly gossiping that THE Miranda Priestly come into her office with a baby tucked on her left arm, however it still unconfirmed who is the child, how old the child, whose the child’s name, the gender, although speculations saying the child is around a year or two.”
“What else?” Leo inquired.
“Ah, wait,” the tall Press Secretary flipped open her leather-folder evidently jotting down whatever gossips that reached her ears and effortlessly put on her reading eyeglasses. “I make few casual calls to my sources in New York. Elias-Clarke’s CEO Irv Ravits does have unhealthy vendetta to Miranda Priestly and he clearly have a day of jubilee hearing this news, he would take a visit down to Runway to check did this rumor is true or not.” She looked up to the President. “However, knowing the reporters already flocking down Elias-Clarke’s lobby and several photographers and paparazzi already take pictures when Miranda went out with Alexandra to meet Donatella over lunch, next morning the pictures would be printed out. Right now it’s already circulating on the net.”
They watched the President pacing right and left behind his desk, face contorted in concentration. “What else?” he stopped and looked around. “Any news about the damn cooker? Or how about Miranda’s first ex-husband?”
“Commander.” Leo nodded to Kate who squared her shoulders. “Per Zoey’s instruction to be a mediator with Fred and George Weasley I found out they cast a tracking-charm on Nate Cooper and Andy’s former-friends.”
The President’s eyebrow hiked up. “When those events happen?”
Mentally cringing Kate reported to him what Fred and George’s witness and overheard on the bar where the first time they learned Andy was in the same city and nation with them.
A “Son of a bitch!” shouted by the enraged uncle jolting everyone aside Leo that immediately tried to calm him, “Mr. President,” he said sternly warning him not to lose control in fear he will blinded by his rage and directed it to his staffs instead the perpetrator. Even it does brought back his focus but the angry uncle’s eyes ablaze with fury. “How the hell this could happen! I thought you paid him a nice visit, commander!”
“I’m sorry, sir.” Kate lowered her gaze knowing even she wasn’t in U.S. when the President gives his order, it was her men. “I dropped the ball.”
“Would you please to pick it up?” Jed hissed.
“Yes sir.”
That is what they like from Kate Harper. The fact the woman doesn’t give any excuses when even it was her men that failed them and not her personally; she genuinely apologized and would correct the mistake personally if she must and as fast as she could which means, immediate. Her sincerity does calm Jed Bartlet a bit, it’s frustrating, really frustrated him to no end. He is the most powerful man in this planet by political-power and perhaps, military. And yet, the fact that he cannot even claim he has a sister he love and a niece let alone sister-in-law he never met or another niece as Andy often brought up the subject of her sister from her other mother, frustrated him to no end. He is not a violent man, he love peace, but he does have a limit for his patience.
“And that Jeremiah Dawson?” he demanded but less sharper.
“I’m in closed-communication with Miranda Priestly. She hinted she wished to have her chance. He is still the father of her daughters.”
“And your answer?”
“I’ll keep a close monitor especially by now she is romantically involved with Andy. She understands.”
“Give her the chance she wants but you shall be there to carry on the backup plan or even to rough that man few times if you must. Keep close contact with Miranda, my wife love her, my niece in love with her and my daughters all worshiped her. So have her numbers in speed dial and your men 24/7 guarding her and the girls.”
“Yes sir.”
“How about the cooker?” Josh asked carefully not wanting invoked the notorious wrath his boss has. “Should we do something about it?”
“I vote for Andy to take care of him.” Mandy said winning Toby practically singing, “I’m sold.”
“Why?” Sam looked at the pair with strange looks. “It’s only giving more stress to her.”
“Which is why I suggested for Andy to take care of him,” Mandy retorted casually. “Let our girl return home with a bang. Ain’t that the boys’ way?” she smirked devilishly as it got a tiny grin from the President. “Sorry sir, but I’m an attorney, we the attorney-girls have our way to drag out the truth and bitch-slap it to the perpetrator.”
“And you would take care of the legal procedure, yes Mandy?” the President baited with a tiny grin on the fiery female-attorney.
“Give me two staffs hopefully one of them is this Texan spitfire I noticed from Federal Attorney’s office and a direct connection to the New York’s Public Prosecutor I’ll bring the best of the best attorney, and I think she knew Miranda too.”
“Who?” Sam asked.
“Alex Cabot.” Mandy grinned pure devilishly, “And the one from the Feds would be Abbie Carmichael. With them in my team they have more trusted friends and even few judges in our pockets.”
“Who’s our Judge for the Special Court?” The President looked at Leo who tapped his chin. “Assuming with the base of field is on New York, we got Lena Petrovsky.”
Few attorneys inside the office immediately cringes and Sam, “Well,” he straightened his suits and sniffed. “If it is Her Honorable Lena Petrovsky,” folding his arms on his chest, “due my experience as an attorney, I could tell you no sane lawyers wants to face her sans they really got paid many zeroes or lots attentions from media.”
“Anyone could guess who?” Leo asked. “If the news of Andy is our girl break to the public or for anything that related to ‘you-know-what’, who wants to be the cooker or whomever we would face later on, be their attorneys?”
“Trevor Langan.” Mandy grinned wider as Josh cried out, “he’s a media-whore!”
“So predictable,” Kate commented quietly.
Jed traded a meaningful look with Leo who nod his head and turned to Mandy. “Got your girls, we’ll talk about the HQ for New York.”
“Yes sir.” Mandy nodded firmly with ear-to-ear splitting grin.
“Next issue, my niece would fly to London in three days.” The President looked pointedly to Kate who understands his silent look. “Captain Rafael has flying-license to fly any military planes or private-jet. His job back in 33rd Blackbird required it. He will fly Andy to our military base on Britain, I will call our boys on the ground to be ready for her arrival and guard her as long as she stayed there.”
“And the next issue that she wished to return to her spot in the Blackbird. Joining the boys-in-uniform again, but personally I don’t want it. Of course I want we used her talents and skills but not in Blackbird anymore.” The President pursed his lips, clasping his palms and rubbing it few times. “How’s the Twin British?”
“They are ready anytime, sir. They want times to read thoroughly the contracts.” Kate got a grim look. “From what I learned they have quite experiences of brutal betrayals, I cannot blame them to be extra careful. With this process I have no doubt they would put their signatures after making a call to me and gives adjustments.”
“They’ll work with us, undercover, well budget and got millions of IDs if necessary. Do remind them that. And they have a really huge privilege. I don’t give a damn care they started throwing corpses but I want this country is a safe place for everyone, especially my family.”
“Yes sir.”
“Claudia-Jean!”
“Yes sir.” C.J. squared her shoulders as attention turned to her.
“Keep everything under radar for now but be prepared for the bomb explodes. Be sure to remind them Andréa Sachs is my goddamn niece and they have no rights to chase her around to get a scoop.”
“I need to work closely with Mandy and do few frequent visits to New York to make sure the reporters there understand your message, Mr. President.”
“Do everything necessary,” said the President looking to Leo who looked to C.J. “You too in my office with Mandy and Commander Harper after this.” On the three women’s nods, Leo looked back to the President. “Anything else, sir?”
“That’s all for now. Just keep your phones on ‘cuz I will ring it even you all a hair away from your deaths and you got paid to pick up my call!”
A collective “Yes sir” rang inside his office.
(-*-)
Once everyone inside Leo’s office, “Alright,” Leo turned around, “Josh you would work with us to plan the budgets.”
“Already half-way,” Josh replied.
“Toby and Sam keep eyes and ears open from any movement from Senates and Congresses,” resting his butt against the front of his desk, the Chief of Staff folded his arms. “You all know and well-aware some of them were related to the ‘Assemblies’ that worked for Magical and all Supernatural Communities. Even back then Andy was and right now still is a member of the Blackbird, yet the President and myself has difficulty to locate her. We got thorns on our sides. So beware.”
“We’ll do, Leo.” Sam assured him with a firm nod from Toby. “Definitely.”
“It’s time for the assistant-rank to be noticed, hinted and informed.” Leo took a deep breath. “Remind them they already signed their contracts. Until Andy returned from London everything could possible to blow up on our faces and situation would spiral out of control. So be sure to make everything is all-right.” On their firm nods, “the ladies stayed, you boys do your job.”
“Aye sir,” said Toby pushing Sam and Josh out of the office, they got lots of works since beginning and this extra-job only put more pressures.
Now left alone with three women inside his office Leo looked around. “Mandy.” He tempted her firstly.
“We need a legal team Leo, not only for this case but if the project which from Josh clearly a half-way to finish the budget draft it would be formed sooner than later,” Mandy said without a pause.
“Are you sure about your candidates?” asked C.J. moving to lean on against a comfortable chair inside Leo’s office, hugging herself with her folder under her left armpit facing her female-lawyer-friend. “We cannot afford for them to back off even after attending, oh, I don’t know, an interview of some kind of lies we could come up with.”
“They all determinate women to put up fairness and justices even that means they needed to get lock into a prison,” Mandy went up to her candidates defense. “At least Alex Cabot had entered prison because she was frustrated unable to nail her case.”
“Even the privilege this special team is as high as what Secret Service and C.I.A. have in combine, we didn’t want to produce more criminals from our own men, Mandy.” Leo reminded her. “You think they would up to the quick paces?”
“Most of my candidates have their own shares as A.D.A. in New York cruelest and brutal division of SVU, Leo.” Mandy turned at him, fighting to win her case. “I know if we are talking about supernatural-cases it could be hundred times more brutal than what they got, but at least they have the experiences for years to face such cruelty and no need for us to train a newbie that would go insane or worse break it to the public!”
On the skeptical look C.J. and Leo traded, “I’m with the Counselor,” Kate surprised them by her support went to Mandy who too visibly look surprise. “Per your request Leo and the President’s order, I go through several thousands of officers we could trust. Few names already come to me, from 2 - 6 Precincts, Detective Jo Polyznack and from 1 - 6 Precincts, Detective Olivia Benson. Per your personal request and the President’s order, I only filter and keep my eyes on the female officers firstly before moving on to the males as we didn’t want, hopefully Andy took the spot in this team, to scare Andy to need working with males she doesn’t know and completely strangers.”
“Who are they?”
“Detective Jo Polyznack still new to be a detective but she is really talented and have a terrible pride that she wouldn’t back off even in face of any supernatural-beings. She too is a partner of Blair Warner.”
“The billionaire?” Leo’s eyebrows jumped.
“Yes. I hesitated due Ms. Warner is one of the funders. It seems just like the rumor; Ms. Warner is quite an open-minded person.”
“Indeed she is,” Leo pondered, recalling the bubbly-blonde that on first glance many would simply believing she is nothing but a spoiled-rich-woman and quite an airheaded-flirtatious. “And the next detective?”
“Detective Olivia Benson is from the New York SVU,” Kate smiled as understanding dawned why she supported Mandy. “She stayed there for quite long time, far longer than any members and the standard. I think someone as dedicated as her qualified to receive a better position, payment and of course, rank.”
“Strong female?” C.J. inquired.
“Both of them yes,” Kate smirked teasingly, “although compare to me they still need a long way to go.”
“I won’t doubt that, Kate,” Leo chuckled shaking his head lightly of how this two women could dancing around and yet flirting back-and-forth shamelessly in front of so many witnesses although Leo knew C.J. more often than not simply blurting out what popping inside her head and Kate happily flirted her back in return. Mandy was rolling her eyes, look to Leo and mouthed, ‘See? Where’s the ‘not my girlfriend’!?’ giving a warning look to silence the sulking female-attorney, “Alright, commander, you gathered your female-officers and candidates. Mandy too, bring all those girls down to New York if your candidates weren’t there already. C.J. clear your day after Andy left or make sure you got an opening in your schedule. I will call the twin British allies of us to use their place for whatever plan you got. You three would go there and interview them. Remember, low profile. Create something you come up with while emphasizing that this gathering, meeting or tea-party, would result they all to keep their mouths shuts of whatever hell they learned.”
“Yes sir.”
“And C.J. if the news does breakout, be sure to ‘hide’ Andy’s name that related her to her moms. The President and First Lady very adamant to pay their debts to Andy’s moms, meaning, this time it’s their job to protect the two British’s ladies.”
“Sure thing, Leo.”
Watching them exiting his office Leo picked up his desk phone, dialing numbers he memorized since few days ago and pleased as the call got picked up on the second ring, “Fred and George? Hi, yeah, this is the ol’ Leo and he is in need of a help…”
(-*-)
(New York)
On the fourth day after her visit to her uncle Andy lifted up the suitcases and locking her apartment door behind her, she didn’t want to be faltered on her step, on her determination to move on, that was why she let Alexandra taken by Miranda since yesterday living on the Townhouse with her girls.
She found her replacement since two days ago, the girl have experience already assisting an Editor-in-Chief on her previous job although her skills to follow Miranda’s instructions still doubtful and not yet fruitful. But Miranda had ordered her to leave; the older woman cannot stand for her lover to leave for unknown length-of-times, yet the quicker Andy leave the faster she could return to New York. That is what she, no, they beliefs and hopes.
Fred and George too were invited by Miranda to stay in her guest-bedrooms, delighting the girls whom depressed that Andy need to leave. They love her and always think she is far better to be on their mother’s side instead Stephen or even their father. Also, she is the mother of their youngest sister, of course they think it is natural for Andy to live with them and not away from them let alone, across the ocean.
Meeting Gina Toscano on the underground parking-lot Andy climbed into the unmark sedan, only having Zoey to send her away through military airport, inside the airplane-hangar agents gives her a military salute as she climbed into the private-jet that would bring her to London.
Standing next to the car watching the plane moving out of the hangar and running down the landing strip before takeoff Zoey hugged herself making her personal-guard concerned with her being. “Are you cold, Zoey?” Gina asked.
“…did you see Andy’s expression, Gina?” Zoey asked ignoring her detail’s question. A blink, “Yes,” Gina replied slowly, trying to understand her young-charge whom is a quite an enigma. “She changed, evidently determinate, but it’s like I see a different person. Very firm and regal.” Gina coughed into her right fist to cover how her cheeks went pink, true be told she actually felt her heart skip a beat when she saw Andy today. Andy she saw this morning look so different from the usual Andy Sachs, this Andy… enthralled everyone who saw her.
“…She’s so pretty…” Zoey said tilting her head to gaze up to the early morning sky watching until the plane that bringing her most favorite and beloved cousin vanished from view. “That’s the real Andy, Gina. Always tall and strong no matter facing horrible time, so confident, Andy you see today is Andréa McGonagall Bones Sachs.” She rotated her head to gives a sideway look to her startled agent, “that’s the real look of the Lieutenant Commander Sachs, Gina. The youngest and most legendary Enforcer in her generation,” smiling Zoey looked up again to the sky, “…sis will be fine. I know she will. That look…she always has that look whenever she enters a battle she knew she will win.”
“She’ll return.” Gina smiled in understanding.
“Ah. She will.”
(-*-)
Somewhere inside an upscale Townhouse across the city, a pair of icy blue saw in distance of a private-jet flying across the sky disappearing behind thick clouds, Miranda’s eyes that now have its pupils like a slit watering as she tightened her hold around a sleeping baby-girl with her girls clutching her elbows, “please,” Miranda whispered, “please return to us, to me, Andréa.” Closing her eyes she let a single tear rolled down the corner of her right eye disappearing under her jaw. “This is your home. Remember that, my love.”
Caroline looked at her twin sadly, Cassidy already busy muffling her sobs, rounding her mother Caroline hugged her tightly while Fred and George that seated on the stairs in front of Miranda’s study hung their heads low. Their Andy need to meet her family and friends to inform the real reason of her sudden and abrupt departure without any news, to tell them how she lived a false life and to bring the fact of how she has Alexandra. They could do nothing but to wait and have faiths on their friends. To help their friend who lived so miserably for years to move on…and not to crush her.