“Okay. A situation exists, and this is Major Michelle Carter, and Major Kyle Bennett, they are to be taken onto my staff immediately. They are to be given the highest security clearance, and all facilities are to be made available to them without question. The members of the Committee are to be granted similar privileges, except the security clearances to be only made available to those military members,” George W. Bush told her.
“But Mr President, the vetting and security…”
“Just do it,” he said.
“Yes sir.”
They returned to the Oval office, bringing the Marine Sergeant with them.
The President stared at Red for a moment.
“Sir, he’s my backup,” Michelle said.
“So, what now?”
Michelle explained that six areas in the USA would be declared National security areas, and no residential or commercial building permits would be issued, and military activity would be reduced. The ‘others’ could prevent small-scale incursions, but any large-scale incursions would be dealt with by the military in conjunction with the ‘others’.
“I can’t believe that this is happening,” George said.
“Sir, it is, and you are doing the right thing,” she said, as for the first time he almost smiled.
“Major, I hope to God you’re right.”
Issued with new ID cards, and a special Presidential Warrant, Michelle and Red left the White House. Kyle returned to the committee room, as Jim’s aide, and the business of working out how to break the news to the world governments began.
“What the hell happens now?” Red asked as they breathed the fresh air.
“I don’t know. I really don’t. There is so much that could go wrong, it’s all so uncertain.”
“Will they try to keep things for themselves?”
“Probably, but it won’t wash. I know that the President would like to keep it all to himself, as would the military, but they realise that there are more ‘others’ outside the US than inside.”
“Why us?”
“What?”
“Why did they come to us? Why not the Russians or Australians?”
Michelle smiled.
“That’s my fault.”
“Yours?”
“Yup. I chose here, because I knew it.”
Red frowned.
“Just where the hell are you from?”
Michelle smiled.
“One day, I might just tell you, but for the moment, just be satisfied when I tell you I’m as American as you.”
Red looked at the city and felt a shiver of uncertainty run down his spine.
“I don’t like it here. It’s too civilised for me,” he said, and Michelle laughed.
He liked that sound, so he turned towards her.
She was standing looking out across the city, and her profile was remarkable. She was so beautiful; she took his breath away, as she was almost flawless.
<<I can see you watching me,>> she thought and he dropped his gaze.
<<Are you peeking again?>>
<<Nah, would I?>>
He smiled.
<<I was thinking that you’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.>>
<<I know,>> she thought, looking him right in the eye.
<<You did peek?>>
She smiled.
“Sergeant, can I buy you a drink?” she said.
“Sure, but isn’t that fraternising disapproved of?”
“Heck, I’m not a real major in any case,” she said, and waved for their driver. “I’m overdue a holiday, so why don’t you ditch the hardware, put on some jeans and meet me out front in ten minutes?” she said to Red.
“You sure?” he asked.
She smiled and nodded.
“Oh, and Red?”
“Yeah?”
“Invest in some rubber.”
“Huh?”
She shook her head, and Red saw her blush.
“Buy some condoms, you stupid native,” she said, and then she saw his teeth flash in an enormous grin.
Red went to the Marine office inside the White House and stowed his weapons. His status was not questioned as he was now attached to the tall Major as a personal Aide. He put on his jeans and a tee shirt, putting his combat gear into his kitbag.
“Sergeant, have you no standard uniform?” asked the sergeant major.
“No sir. Just these duds.”
“Hmph.”
Red smiled and left whistling.
He got to the car, but there was no sign of Michelle.
“Any idea where the Major got to?” he asked the driver.
“No sir, she just told me to wait here and she’d be back in a while.”
“Looking for me?” he heard her say, so he turned round.
She had lost the uniform and was wearing a pair of jeans and an open necked, check shirt, with the sleeves rolled up. She had a pair of cowboy boots on her feet, so all she needed was a hat and she’d be at home at the rodeo.
She looked stunning. Her hair was down and shimmered in the sunlight, with her makeup emphasising those wonderful eyes.
“I don’t have to peek to know what’s on your mind,” she said to Red, who blushed under his tan.
“You look good. Even if you ain’t a real Major.”
“I’m real, Red, believe me, I’m as real as you can get.”
“Where to Ma’am?” the driver asked.
“Do you know a really nice hotel?”
“Yes Ma’am.”
“Then take us there,” she said, and slung her holdall in the trunk of the car next to Red’s kitbag.
The Metropole was an old established Hotel that oozed old world charm and new world wealth.
The clerk watched the couple walk across the lobby towards his desk. His eyes didn’t stray from the girl much, only to register that she was accompanied by a tall and very hefty looking man.
He had seen many beautiful women in his job, and most had been dressed in the most expensive clothes, with jewellery that could have bought his house outright three times over.
But this woman was something else.
She moved with an animal grace that exuded female power and strength. Her eyes seemed to draw one in, and her smile melted hearts with a flash.
Wearing the simplest clothing, she outshone the painted trollops who strutted on very high heels and competed for male attention like pigeons.
“Hi,” she said, with a smile.
“Can I help you?”
“Sure. We’d like a nice room with a big hot tub for a few days.”
“Certainly. Will that be twin or double?” he asked, then smiled and muttered ‘double’.
She said nothing, handing her credit card over.
“Thanks, Miss Carter,” he said, swiping the card. It cleared, so he returned it, handing her a registration card.
He rang the bell, and a bellhop appeared and looked in near disgust at the two tatty bags the couple carried. Nevertheless, he took them up to their room, and was rewarded by a $50 note from the attractive blonde. The man was silent, but the bellhop would not like to have upset him. He seemed to offer violence just by being there.
Michelle laughed.
“Do you do it on purpose?” she asked.
“What?”
“Give off those vibes?”
“What vibes?”
“The ‘I’m mean and moody, and get out of my face.’ vibes.”
He smiled and it changed his whole appearance. However, it altered to a frown as Michelle started undressing in front of him.
She laughed.
“I’m dying for a bath. If you get brave enough, come join me. Otherwise you can open me a cold beer,” she said, walking past him stark naked to the bathroom.
He stood there, amazed at her lack of self-consciousness. He went to the mini-bar, opened two beers and then grinned, stripping off.
He carried the beers to the bathroom, to find her lying in luxurious splendour in a mass of bubbles.
She watched him, casting a critical eye over his muscular physique. Gordon had been trim, but Red was a veritable powerhouse. He had some scars and looked as if he knew how to handle himself.
He handed her a beer, so she slid over as he got in the opposing end of the large oval tub. She grinned and switched on the spa switch, so jets of bubbles released from the jets set in the base of the tub.