Numb3rs Fic: For Love of Country
Written for numb3rs100 Challenge August 2009 Rewind - Washington DC, Humanity, Ethics, Oath
Title: For Love of Country
Series/Universe: For Love of Country
Pairing/Characters: Charlie/Colby, Don
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 1200
Spoilers: Judgment Call, The Mole, The Janus List, Trust Metric
Summary: Senator Colby Granger calls a televised press conference to make an announcement (AU)
Notes/Warnings: Read the disclaimer on my LJ
167. Washington DC
Colby stepped up to the podium, the camera flashes at the D.C. press conference near blinding, and began to speak.
"I was born into a family with a long history of service. Five generations of duty and honor. I followed my family's model, devoting my life to my country. I joined the Army, serving in Afghanistan where I was nearly killed in an attack, trapped in a burning Humvee. I joined the FBI, spending years getting shot at. I became a spy, at the request of our government, in an effort to root out a mole within our ranks. When I was captured, the guilty party killed me, stopped my heart. It was only through the heroic actions of my FBI teammates that I was revived and stand before you today.
"When Senator Vanderhoff passed away unexpectedly, I was asked to serve again - to fill her seat until the next election. As always, I stepped up and served my country without question. Even when the party asked me to run for the seat, to enter into politics - a field I'd never sought out - for the good of the country? I did what was asked of me and by some miracle, I won and became a Senator in my own right.
"For three years now I've served in the Senate. Now the rumor's out that I'm being looked at as a possible candidate for Vice President. I am honored that my distinguished colleague would even consider me as a running mate, given that I'm just a junior Senator and I'm grateful to the American people for coming out in force to support me and the issues I've brought to Congress.
"But for once in my life, I am no longer willing to put everything aside in order to serve without question."
003. Humanity
A collective gasp went through the crowd followed by hushed whispers. Every microphone was nudged closer as Colby drew a breath, steadying himself.
"Some of my detractors have said one of the reasons I'd make an unsuitable running mate is my unmarried status - that two families on the dais is what America needs to feel comfortable. Ironically, I gave up my chance for a family when I agreed to leave the FBI and come to Washington. There was... There was someone in my life I left behind. I knew there was no way I could continue the relationship and be Senator so I asked that person to wait for me. They did. And then when the party asked me to run for the seat, I had to make a choice: be with the person I loved, or serve my country. I chose my country, as I always had.
"I've never forgiven myself for that decision and while I'm proud of the good work I've done on behalf of my country, I'm now finally asking the question 'at what cost?' I know I'm luckier than most. Thousands of men and women lost their lives in Afghanistan, while I came home. Many spies die in the course of their covert efforts to keep our country safe and, for the safety of their families, can never be given the appropriate hero's burial with all the fanfare they deserve. Every year the FBI loses agents in the line of duty, protecting our home from criminals, gangs and terrorists. I should have no complaints: I'm alive and well and exist in a privileged world here in the nation's capitol.
"But it's not enough. I've been so busy being a soldier, a spy, an agent and a politician, that I forgot one thing: to be human."
194. Ethics
"Like any human being, I long for another soul to complete me, to share my joy and ease my pain, to love and cherish and grow old with. I thought that I didn't need those things. I was mistaken.
"I've done the party and the American people a disservice by not being fully honest with them. To all, you have my apologies for my ethical failure to disclose this information earlier. I can only say in my defense that I sought to serve my country as best I could and that has been, in the decades since I joined the Army, to do so in silence. I can be silent no longer.
"There is a man in California, who I hope is watching this broadcast. A man to whom I owe the biggest apology. I don't deserve his forgiveness or anything from him really."
Colby's hands clutched the podium as he struggled to get control of himself.
"But I wanted to say I'm sorry to him. There are no words that suffice for this kind of apology, but I'm sorry for all the hurt I've caused him.
"If you're listening? I want you to know I chose wrong. I should have chosen you. I was blinded by those five generations of duty and honor and forgot what made those generations possible - something stronger than the military: family. You were the family I wanted, the one I'd waited for, the man I loved."
The room erupted, every reporter shouting questions at once.
"I know you might not take me back, but I couldn't go on living a lie. So if the country wants a gay Vice President? That's great. But I would only do it if I could be the second family on the dais - with you standing by my side."
158. Oath
Charlie felt Don's hand on his shoulder, a firm and supportive presence as they watched Colby leave the podium at the end of the press conference. Don muted the TV, but left the machine recording.
"You swore you were done with him," Don reminded him gently.
"I also vowed I'd love him until I died," Charlie forced out, voice rough with emotion. "And that oath came first."
Don squeezed his shoulder and Charlie looked up at him, trails of tears still streaming down his face.
"He clearly loves you," Don stressed. "He just sent his entire political career up in flames - his chance at the White House even - on live TV no less."
Charlie nodded, overwhelmed. "Get him on the phone," he said, a serene smile finally gracing his face.
Don pulled out his phone and dialed the Capitol switchboard.
"Assistant Director Don Eppes of the FBI, urgent for Senator Colby Granger." There was a pause. "I know, but he'll want to take this call." After another pause, Don got through to Colby's aide. "Lydia, it's Don Eppes. Put Colby on. I know, but tell him it's the call he's expecting." After another pause, Don handed the phone to Charlie.
"Charlie?" Colby's voice was so plaintive, so desperate, it was heartbreaking to hear.
"Senator Granger..." Charlie put every ounce of strength he had into each word, drawing on all he had inside, all that had been hidden for years. "Will you marry me?"
In all their time together, Charlie had never seen Colby cry, but he knew that sound even across three thousand miles. But the weeping wasn't for loss, it was for something found.
"Yes, oh god yes," Colby breathed.
"Then hurry home." Charlie's voice was warm, long denied love finally given voice. "We've got some campaigning to do."
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Title: For Love of Country
Series/Universe: For Love of Country
Pairing/Characters: Charlie/Colby, Don
Rating: PG13
Word Count: 1200
Spoilers: Judgment Call, The Mole, The Janus List, Trust Metric
Summary: Senator Colby Granger calls a televised press conference to make an announcement (AU)
Notes/Warnings: Read the disclaimer on my LJ
167. Washington DC
Colby stepped up to the podium, the camera flashes at the D.C. press conference near blinding, and began to speak.
"I was born into a family with a long history of service. Five generations of duty and honor. I followed my family's model, devoting my life to my country. I joined the Army, serving in Afghanistan where I was nearly killed in an attack, trapped in a burning Humvee. I joined the FBI, spending years getting shot at. I became a spy, at the request of our government, in an effort to root out a mole within our ranks. When I was captured, the guilty party killed me, stopped my heart. It was only through the heroic actions of my FBI teammates that I was revived and stand before you today.
"When Senator Vanderhoff passed away unexpectedly, I was asked to serve again - to fill her seat until the next election. As always, I stepped up and served my country without question. Even when the party asked me to run for the seat, to enter into politics - a field I'd never sought out - for the good of the country? I did what was asked of me and by some miracle, I won and became a Senator in my own right.
"For three years now I've served in the Senate. Now the rumor's out that I'm being looked at as a possible candidate for Vice President. I am honored that my distinguished colleague would even consider me as a running mate, given that I'm just a junior Senator and I'm grateful to the American people for coming out in force to support me and the issues I've brought to Congress.
"But for once in my life, I am no longer willing to put everything aside in order to serve without question."
003. Humanity
A collective gasp went through the crowd followed by hushed whispers. Every microphone was nudged closer as Colby drew a breath, steadying himself.
"Some of my detractors have said one of the reasons I'd make an unsuitable running mate is my unmarried status - that two families on the dais is what America needs to feel comfortable. Ironically, I gave up my chance for a family when I agreed to leave the FBI and come to Washington. There was... There was someone in my life I left behind. I knew there was no way I could continue the relationship and be Senator so I asked that person to wait for me. They did. And then when the party asked me to run for the seat, I had to make a choice: be with the person I loved, or serve my country. I chose my country, as I always had.
"I've never forgiven myself for that decision and while I'm proud of the good work I've done on behalf of my country, I'm now finally asking the question 'at what cost?' I know I'm luckier than most. Thousands of men and women lost their lives in Afghanistan, while I came home. Many spies die in the course of their covert efforts to keep our country safe and, for the safety of their families, can never be given the appropriate hero's burial with all the fanfare they deserve. Every year the FBI loses agents in the line of duty, protecting our home from criminals, gangs and terrorists. I should have no complaints: I'm alive and well and exist in a privileged world here in the nation's capitol.
"But it's not enough. I've been so busy being a soldier, a spy, an agent and a politician, that I forgot one thing: to be human."
194. Ethics
"Like any human being, I long for another soul to complete me, to share my joy and ease my pain, to love and cherish and grow old with. I thought that I didn't need those things. I was mistaken.
"I've done the party and the American people a disservice by not being fully honest with them. To all, you have my apologies for my ethical failure to disclose this information earlier. I can only say in my defense that I sought to serve my country as best I could and that has been, in the decades since I joined the Army, to do so in silence. I can be silent no longer.
"There is a man in California, who I hope is watching this broadcast. A man to whom I owe the biggest apology. I don't deserve his forgiveness or anything from him really."
Colby's hands clutched the podium as he struggled to get control of himself.
"But I wanted to say I'm sorry to him. There are no words that suffice for this kind of apology, but I'm sorry for all the hurt I've caused him.
"If you're listening? I want you to know I chose wrong. I should have chosen you. I was blinded by those five generations of duty and honor and forgot what made those generations possible - something stronger than the military: family. You were the family I wanted, the one I'd waited for, the man I loved."
The room erupted, every reporter shouting questions at once.
"I know you might not take me back, but I couldn't go on living a lie. So if the country wants a gay Vice President? That's great. But I would only do it if I could be the second family on the dais - with you standing by my side."
158. Oath
Charlie felt Don's hand on his shoulder, a firm and supportive presence as they watched Colby leave the podium at the end of the press conference. Don muted the TV, but left the machine recording.
"You swore you were done with him," Don reminded him gently.
"I also vowed I'd love him until I died," Charlie forced out, voice rough with emotion. "And that oath came first."
Don squeezed his shoulder and Charlie looked up at him, trails of tears still streaming down his face.
"He clearly loves you," Don stressed. "He just sent his entire political career up in flames - his chance at the White House even - on live TV no less."
Charlie nodded, overwhelmed. "Get him on the phone," he said, a serene smile finally gracing his face.
Don pulled out his phone and dialed the Capitol switchboard.
"Assistant Director Don Eppes of the FBI, urgent for Senator Colby Granger." There was a pause. "I know, but he'll want to take this call." After another pause, Don got through to Colby's aide. "Lydia, it's Don Eppes. Put Colby on. I know, but tell him it's the call he's expecting." After another pause, Don handed the phone to Charlie.
"Charlie?" Colby's voice was so plaintive, so desperate, it was heartbreaking to hear.
"Senator Granger..." Charlie put every ounce of strength he had into each word, drawing on all he had inside, all that had been hidden for years. "Will you marry me?"
In all their time together, Charlie had never seen Colby cry, but he knew that sound even across three thousand miles. But the weeping wasn't for loss, it was for something found.
"Yes, oh god yes," Colby breathed.
"Then hurry home." Charlie's voice was warm, long denied love finally given voice. "We've got some campaigning to do."
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