#tilldawn

The red light on the camera blinked as Terry stared directly at it. Even though he knew that the camera wasn't the only thing watching and taking notes, he wanted to concentrate on the agent across from him and the device recording him.

"Please state your full name for the record,” Agent Wolks requested.

“Terrence James Richmond,” Terry stated.

“Terrence, do you know why you’re here today?” Agent Wolks leaned against the table. Her hair pulled back into a bun that spoke all business.

“Yes, ma’am,” Terrence spoke. 

“You were assigned to the security detail of Code Name Dawn, also known as Kennedy Rose Jameson, the fort-”

“She’s more than that,” Terry spoke back calmly.

“Excuse me,” Agent Wolks raised her brow.

“She’s not just the first daughter. She’s more than that,” Terry said. “She’s a young woman, more than just a political title. She has interests and dreams. Goals,”

“We’re not here to discuss that, Mister Richmond,” Agent Wolks stated. “We just need to know what happened to the first daughter,” She asked. “And why she is currently in a medically induced coma in a hospital. What led us to that, Mister Richmond?”

Terry tried his best to stay calm, thoughts of Kennedy swirling in his mind. He wondered how she was doing, if she was getting the care she needed, and whether she hated him. He didn’t care if she did. Knowing that she could channel any energy was enough to reassure him that she was okay.

“And what happens if you don’t like what I say?” Terry asked, his defenses coming up. Having been in the Marines, he knew how things could get if someone stepped out of line.

Agent Wolks paced for a moment. There was control in her every step. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.” She sat in the chair. “Let’s start at the beginning.” 

♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠

“We got a little celebrity on campus,” Mike spoke, backpack dropping on the counter as Terry pulled out a beer. The heat of summer was still rearing its ugly head in New Orleans. After a long day of showing new student workers how to process paperwork for students interested in self-defense classes, he earned the cool drink. 

“Mike,” Terry threw a glance at the backpack. 

“My bad, T,” Mike put the bag down, holding a hand up. Terry gave him a nod. “I saw her.”

“Saw who?” Terry pulled another beer out, sliding it over to his younger cousin.

“Saw the first daughter.” Mike popped open the cap to his beer bottle before failing at sinking it in the trash can. “Kennedy Jameson,”

“Kennedy Jameson?” Terry rolled his eyes before taking the cap off of his beer. “At Tulane? She doing some charity work or something,”

“She’s enrolling at Tulane,” Mike said. Terry raised his eyebrow at him. “You know that girl I was with? Tia?”

Terry rolled his eyes, remembering how he almost had a third roommate as Tia and Mike dated, their situationship lasting two months before Mike declared they were two different people. Tia seemed to be calm until she nearly took out Mike’s windshield. Thank god Terry talked her down, explaining it wouldn’t be suitable for anyone if it ended with property damage.

“Mike, I was the one saving your ass from brain damage if she got her hands on you,” Terry reminded him. “I’m surprised she hasn’t clawed your eyes out.”

“Well, I got the gift of gab. She works in admissions, and they've been gearing up for weeks. Every grad school has been on notice, but she’s following in Madame President’s footsteps. Tia says she’s interested in a Political Science Masters. Then Harvard Law.”

“So Tulane is where she wants to be?” Terry raised an eyebrow.

“Her father is an alumnus here. I guess following in both parents’ footsteps,” Mike shrugged. “But this is dope, T. Being on campus with the first daughter.”

“I hope she can last.” Terry took another swig of her drink. In his past life as an MCMAP instructor, he had the luxury of being amongst political figures and dignitaries when they visited the base where he was stationed. This was not as shocking as it was for Mike, but he wouldn’t ruin his cousin's excitement.

“You have no faith in our first daughter,” Mike teased. “Mean ass,” Mike tries pushing against Terry’s chest. But Terry was quicker, dodging out of the way. The two began slap boxing, Terry with his beer in one hand and a chuckle escaping him as his little cousin swore he had the moves to take him down. 

After a moment, Mike backed off, as he had to get started on some mixing for a club he had a DJ gig for. Terry moved to the balcony of his apartment, taking in the view of his neighborhood. It was one of his favorite things to do at the end of the day, finding his peace as he took in the sights. But his peace was interrupted when a text came through on his phone. He saw the name and sat up. 

Terry pressed the contact and called the number back.

“Richmond,” Campbell answered after three rings.

“Tyler,” Terry replied. “What do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m in town. I thought we could catch up?”

“Your kind of catch-up leads me to trouble.”

“Trust me, I’m a changed man,” Campbell chuckled. “Remember that barbeque spot we kept in business. Meet me there at Twelve hundred hours.”

“Okay,” Terry stated. How much harm could one meal between friends do? 

♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠

The rustling of patrons talking over their barbeque in the afternoon was background noise to Terry and Campbell as they caught up over a cold one and their meals.

“What’s crazy is even after you got hit in the face for smacking her ass, she still gave you her number,” Terry shook his head at Campbell sitting across from him.

“What’s crazier is that we’re still happily married,” Campbell tipped his beer bottle to Terry. “With a kid and a half on the way.”

“Congratulations on that, brother,” Terry held his drink up in a toast to Campbell.

“I’m not gonna even lie. I never imagined this would be my life after I left the Marines. But getting that job in the Secret Service. Made this all possible,” Campbell said, ruffling his blonde hair.

“Is this your way of recruiting me because even though you’re paying for this meal, I ain’t budging,” Terry stated. “I like my life here. I can’t do all the bureaucratic bull shit,”

“I swear. I’m not man,” Campbell stated. “But I do have a proposition for you.” He leaned in. “What do you know about President Jameson’s daughter?”

Terry narrowed his eyes at Campbell’s words. “I know enough about her through articles and the occasional morning segment. Only daughter to the first African American woman president,” Terry remembered watching the first inauguration of President Samira Jameson, her husband beside her alongside her two sons and daughter. He remembered how they walked the streets afterward, taking in their new normal, and he was in awe of their presence. It felt good to be Black in that moment. The second time around, it was even better, but it was still bittersweet knowing they could be the first and the last Black family in the White House.

“Well, she has decided to attend Tulane,” Campbell stated. “And the amount of security she needs will be well… substantial.” He leaned in, Terry pausing to take another sip of his drink. “I have a team here, but I need a man on the inside. Someone I can trust.”

“I’m not about to be some glorified babysitter,” Terry stated. “I’m not saying that. Listen, T,” Campbell said. “All these secret service agents are yes men. You say jump. They don’t even care how high. They just do it. And even if I’m the head of this team, I need men who can make their own choices. Not just follow blindly.”

“But isn’t that the job of the Secret Service? To follow blindly, making sure the First family is safe?” Terry retorted.

“Yes. But these kids they got in this agency now aren’t thinkers like us. Sometimes, in the moment, I see the flicker of hesitation in their eyes. I need someone trained not to hesitate.” Campbell took a sip of his water.

“So, what do you need from me?”

“Someone who is outside of it all. She’s starting school in a few weeks, and we need the extra eyes. It would be off the books; the Government would have you on a codename. The money would be good. You still helping Mike with his school payments?” 

Terry nodded, knowing that working at the school afforded his cousin an education at a discount, but student loans were a bitch.

“Consider his year paid in full.” Campbell grabbed his phone, opened it, and showed Terry an account with many zeros.

“Why do you need me, Campbell?” Terry asked. “There are others from the MCMAP program you could ask to take on this.” 

“There’s no one else I would trust with this job,” Campbell stated. 

Terry rolled his shoulders, thinking for a second about the proposition.

“What can I do more to convince you?” Campbell asked.

A thought popped up in Terry’s head at the words, Campbell already seeing the gears turning in his head.

“What do you have going on in that head of yours?” Campbell stated. Terry leaned back in his chair. 

♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠

Kennedy Jameson was used to the eyes of the world on her. Her mom rose to prominence in the political world, and from a young age, she had to learn to adapt. This meant headphones were plugged in, blocking the noise and prying eyes. She knew her secret service agent was following behind her at a respectable distance, one they had figured out from years of working together. Some were stationed at the entrance and throughout the stacks, giving her the peace and privacy Kennedy wanted when trying to find a book in the university library.

The term hadn’t started, but Kennedy knew the university library would become her home away from home. She found refuge there during undergrad, knowing that at least books were always there.

Kennedy turned down an aisle, a few books in hand, as she scoped the shelf, searching for something that caught her eye. But she nearly had to jump out of the way when a book fell from a shelf in front of her, missing her by a few inches.

Iriye removed her headphones and saw a man with beautiful caramel skin and bluish-gray eyes bounding into the aisle.

“My bad,” The man spoke to her. “I was trying to put a book back and winded up pushing one in.”

“No, you’re fine,” Kennedy stated, trying to remain calm. He was too handsome; it unnerved her somewhat. Her secret service agent approached, and she raised her hand. "It’s okay, Campbell,” 

Kennedy turned to Campbell and nodded her head. Campbell eyed her for a second before giving her some space.

“Sorry about that,” Kennedy stated, returning to the man, taking him all in. Low taper fade. Long sleeves bunched around his forearms that showed a spatter of tattoos—a simple watch on his wrist.

“Terry Richmond.” He offered his hand to her. She placed her hand in his and calmed herself as the rough skin touched hers.

“Kennedy Jameson,” Kennedy gave him a polite shake and pulled away, not wanting to linger too long. “You come here often?”

“Hm,” Terry raised his brows at her. She pointed at the books he had under his arm. “I try to. Perks of working on campus,”

“That would be the best part of the job. The books and all,” Kennedy chuckled softly.

“I agree with that sentiment. It has one of the best library collections here, in my opinion. It even has a book section for the giant books. The best seats are available as well. Not many people go there, so it’s always quiet. It’s the perfect place to read and study,” Terry admitted, seeing Kennedy’s smile brighten with every word he spoke. He could tell she sought solace in quiet places, something he could relate to.

“Well, I will have to check it out then,” Kennedy said. “You wouldn’t mind showing me where it is?”

Terry should have been thrown off by how quickly Kennedy was willing to go with him, a mere stranger, to a part of a library alone. But seeing the security around her, he figured she thought she was safe enough.

“Follow me,” Terry said, walking forward. Kennedy saw one of her newer agents step forward between her and Terry.

“Thank you,” Kennedy stated, even if she wasn’t thankful for the distance put between her and the handsome stranger named Terry. They shuffled towards the aisle, her security details scanning the area. She moved out of their way, stepping closer to Terry, him becoming aware of how close the first daughter was to him.

“This an everyday thing?” Terry attempted a joke, but his deep voice made him sound a bit dry when using humor.

“Only on a good day,” Kennedy admitted, her thinking he was serious about the question. She was used to explaining the need for security, even if everyone knew who she was. 

“It was a joke,” 

“Oh, right,”

Kennedy and Terry stood silently beside each other, one of the agents telling her it was clear.

“You can go if you want to,” Kennedy said, already trying to give Terry an out, her parents’ words about wanting to go to their alma mater playing in her head.

“Like I said, this is the best seat in the library. And since I’m here, I’m not planning on leaving until it’s time for me to,” Terry commanded as he moved to sit in one of the plushier chairs. 

“You said it was the best chair only after you sat in it,” Kennedy chuckled, looking at the books on the shelf. Terry looked up at her from his book.

“Well, it’s also my favorite chair, so,” Terry stated. 

“Right. Sorry, I didn’t know the king of the giant library books had a throne,” Kennedy deadpanned. Terry chuckled at her words, a soft smile stretching over her face. It just made her cheekbones higher.

“Kennedy,” Campbell said. We gotta get a move on.” Kennedy nodded at him, seeing him reach for her books. She handed them to Campbell, and he walked away.

“I’ll see you around, Terry Richmond,” Kennedy stated. Terry nodded and watched her as she walked away. He let out the breath he had been holding, watching her walk away. 

♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠

Terry had finished finalizing the time cards for his school gym employees, knowing they would be ready to be turned in during the morning. 

He rolled his neck momentarily, wondering if he should head on out as his assistant manager was already there for the night shift or at least spend some time hitting a bag or two.

Terry found it hard to relax after running into Kennedy, his brain already absorbed by her enigma. He had tried to avoid speaking about her when Campbell texted him, asking for a chance to debrief, but Terry had found an excuse in payroll handling. 

Now it was done, and his phone sat at this desk like a harbinger of doom rather than an escape. He decided to get this over with. Rip it off like a bandaid. He had been through worse. By memory, he dialed Campbell’s number and waited two rings before Campbell picked up.

“Damn, payroll that intense,” Campbell asked.

“It is when you have college students needing weekend money. These kids don’t play nowadays,” Terry explained.

“Nickeling and diming. I get it,” Campbell replied. “So… what do you think?”

“About?” Terry asked. He heard what sounded like Campbell shuffling somewhere.

“About Kennedy,” Campbell asked.

Terry tapped his finger on the desk, attempting to figure out how to convey it to Campbell. He had it all worked out in his mind. She’s a flight risk. She’s too unpredictable. Easily impressionable. Too trusting. Beautiful. It was all ready to slip off the tip of his tongue. But he thought about her. How being in her presence… felt like being close to greatness untapped. Could he give that up?

“Listen Campbell-” 

“You’re really turning me down? If you’re not gonna do it for years of friendship. Come on. Do it for the money,” Campbell joked.

“I wasn’t going to. Listen. If we do this. We do it my way. And I walk away at any time. No if, ands, or buts,” Terry stated.

He heard a long silence, checking if Campbell hung up on him.

“You got yourself a deal, Richmond,” Campbell stated. “Check your doorstep tomorrow at eight hundred hours. There will be a burner there for communication between us,”

“Good deal,” Terry stated.

“Thank you, man. I appreciate this,”

“Just know anytime I want barbecue, it’s on you,” Terry chuckled.

“I’ll become a Pitt master just for you. Night,” Campbell said before he hung up. Terry tapped the phone against his chin, wondering if this was a bad idea. 

♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠

“So Campbell reached out to you with an offer. One that he stated was off the books,” Wolks repeated, her voice reverberating into the room behind the two-way mirror.

“I’m assuming that off-the-books thing was a lie,” Terry tsked, and a shaky laugh came to Samira’s ears. A cough followed, and Samira was already reaching out to help the source with a sip of water.

“I’m fine, mom,” Kennedy stated, swatting away her mom’s help. 

“You’re not fine. We almost lost you,” Samira said softly.

“But I didn’t die,” Kennedy replied back.

“Kennedy-” Samira stated, being caught off by a hush. “Why are you doing this to yourself?”

“Doing what?” Kennedy asked. Samira gave her a stern look. One that spoke concerned mother rather than leader of the free world. “I have to know, Mom. I have to know if any of it was real,”

“Baby, I know you’re trying to think logically,” Samira spoke. “But you need to rest. You shouldn’t be here,”

“I will rest when I know the truth,” Kennedy said. “Please, Mom,” 

Samira saw the pouting on her daughter’s lips and sighed. 

“Okay… we’ll keep going. But you need to listen to me,”

Kennedy studied Terry through the double-sided glass. If he could see her, he would be more than worried; her arm was in a sling. Bruises dotted her legs and chest. A few staples punctured her hairline, leaving a scar that would heal over. One of the best plastic surgeons in the country promised that it would be an easy fix with surgery. But Kennedy didn’t want to erase the scars from this.

Kennedy needed to remember every painful injury. And to add more pain to herself, she needed the emotional damage that came from facing him. She needed to hear every account of their relationship through a lens of facts. Accounts. None of the emotions that melded her and Terry together.

“You haven’t eaten anything, Ken,” her father said. Kennedy didn’t turn to acknowledge him, focusing on Terry and his calm demeanor. Nothing fazed him as he spoke clearly and assuredly. 

“I’m not hungry,” Kennedy stated, watching him.

“You know, he can’t see you right. But with the way you’re staring, you might cause that thing to disappear,” Her father joked. She couldn’t find the laughter in it—just so many questions.

“Dad,” Kennedy stated before he interrupted her.

“You gotta rest. Your mom tried saying that the day before, but now, I’m telling you,” 

“When she says it, it’s coming from the leader of the free world, not my mother,”  Kennedy said.

“They’re the same thing,” Her father chuckled. “I know this is tough for you. But you need to eeat and rest. Those pain meds they’re giving you are strong. I even got your favorite from Delilah’s,”

Kennedy remained unmoved. Her father stared at her, kissing her head, knowing that, like his wife, his daughter was unstoppable when she was focused. 

Once her father left, Kennedy turned the volume up on the room's speaker, and she heard Agent Wolks speaking again. 

“When was the next time you saw Kennedy?” Agent Wolks asked. 

“It was a week later. She came into the gym,” Terry stated.

That made Kennedy sit up. That wasn’t true. She remembered the first time she saw him after they had met.

♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠

The decadent smell of beignets made her mouth water, and Kennedy nearly had her face pressed to the display case housing the different sweet treats her heart desired. She knew she could have had the chef her parents had hired for her and the secret service agents make beignets. However, like her graduate school experience, Kennedy wanted authenticity. She wanted the authentic taste of New Orleans. If only she could have it without a security team.

But she would have to settle for the security agents perched outside, Campbell monitoring her from a space in the corner. 

“What can I get for you, baby?” An older gentleman said from behind the counter. 

“Can I get about twenty-four beignets?” Kennedy asked, her hand pulling cash out and trying to place it in the tip jar, but the older man covered it with his hand.

“No need for that, Miss Jameson. It’s an honor to serve the first daughter,” The older man stated. “I have some coming out from the back. Nice and fresh,” Kennedy didn’t pay much attention to the bell ringing, alerting them that the shop door was opening, 

“We can take the ones that are here. I don’t want to put you out,” Kennedy didn’t want the special treatment. Everyone always assumed she did, and that was far from the truth. She felt bad that he wouldn’t take her money for the tip.

“It really won’t take long,” the older gentleman nodded before addressing the customer who had come in.

“Good morning, Mr. Harry,” Kennedy hated that she was already familiar with the deep timbre of the voice, goosebumps pimpling up her skin. She turned to see it was Terry, shaking hands with Mister Harry as if they were old pals. “What can I get you?”

“Just the usual,” Terry said with a smile, taking cash out of his wallet and placing it in the tip jar. Kennedy let out a scoff, garnering the attention of Terry and Mr. Harry. Mr. Harry went to work on Terry’s coffee order.

“I’m guessing my tip money is no good here,” Kennedy said, showing the twenty-dollar bill to Terry.

“It isn’t, especially when Mr. Harry was your mother’s biggest supporter when it came to both of her presidential campaigns. Had merchandise down to the socks, practically,” Terry stated, chuckling at the memory.

“Oh, my mom would have loved that,” Kennedy replied. She loved being on the trail with her mom during her campaign run, seeing how their fellow Americans flocked to show out for her mother. She ran grassroots campaigns and went on the trail to local businesses. Her mother was a natural-born people talker, being truly sincere. 

Terry slipped his hand onto hers and startled Kennedy. She felt goosebumps as their hands connected, Terry taking the cash from her hand.

“He’ll take your tip if it’s coming from me. We’ve had too many disagreements about tipping and gratuity. I understand his reasoning, but he knows it means respect when I do it,” Terry whispered. Kennedy tried her best not to be too caught up in the blue of his eyes and how they seemed deeper in the middle.

“Oh,” Kennedy snapped out of her daze, seeing Terry’s hand out. She shelled out another twenty and placed all forty dollars in Terry’s hand. “For all the trouble,” She pointed to the Secret Service members in the shop. “I think we scared off business for him. But at least you still came through,”

“Wouldn’t miss a slice of coffee cake and a cup of Joe for nothing,” Terry stated.

Mr. Harry bagged Kennedy’s order, slipping a croissant into her bag.

“You’re too kind, Mr. Harry,” She said to the older man, watching Terry drop her cash into the tip jar.

“It’s no problem at all,” Mr. Harry tipped his cap to her, Kennedy taking the order from him with a smile. She turned to Terry once Mr. Harry moved on to the next customer. 

“Maybe this is too bold to ask, but I at least have about two beignets to my name before my security team decides to destroy them. You want one?” Kennedy said coolly.

“As lovely as that sounds, I have to get walking to campus. One of the kids who is supposed to be opening the gym is running late, and I have to make it there before the gym bros get upset that they can’t get their sets in,” Terry stated.

“Right,” Kennedy stated. “Thank you once again for helping me with the tip jar,”

Terry shifted on his feet as he watched her begin to walk away.

“You heading to campus?” Terry asked her.

Kennedy turned back his way.

“Yeah, I am,”

“I wouldn’t mind the company heading there,” Terry stated. A smile took over Kennedy’s face.

Ten minutes later, with a beignet and a half drunken cup of coffee in hand, Kennedy and Terry were walking the path to campus, two agents trailing before and after them.

“I hope this isn’t derailing your morning routine,” Kennedy stated, carefully eating her pastry with a fork from the bag she managed to scavenge from the coffee shop.

“It’s nice to have company, sometimes,” Terry stated, straps taunt on his shoulders as he lifted to take a sip of his coffee. “I can get too caught up in my thoughts,”

“You got a lot on your mind?” Kennedy asked.

“Sometimes,” Terry admitted. “But it’s something that I can fix,” He hated thinking that the current situation he was in was helping solve that issue.

“All by yourself or with the help of others?” Terry chuckled at Kennedy’s question.

“Are you sure you’re not a journalism grad student?” Terry asked her, and Kennedy’s face fell for a second before a small smile came back.

“I’m used to the one being asked questions. It’s hardly the other way around,” Kennedy admitted. 

“A perk you hate about being the president’s daughter?” 

Kennedy rubbed her lips together, thinking about the cookie-cutter answer.

“It comes with the role of First Daughter. My responsibility to this beautiful country,” Kennedy repeated effortlessly.

“Bullshit,” Terry stated.

“Excuse me,” Kennedy raised an eyebrow.

“I call bullshit,” He repeated.

“It’s not bullshit,” She stated.

“It’s not believable what you just said. I can tell you say that a lot. You have a bad poker face,” Terry stated bluntly. “Tell the truth and shame the devil,”

“I don’t have that privilege of doing that,” Kennedy said as she stopped in her tracks. “Besides, no one likes the truth if it’s not what they want it to be.”

“So what is Kennedy Jameson’s truth?” Terry waited for her answer, turning to face her fully. “I get it if you don’t want to tell me it. Not knowing me and all,”

“The secret service agents already told me about you,” Kennedy stated, Terry trying to keep his expression unreadable. “There’s a dossier on everyone at the school. One of the many security precautions my mom made me agree to if I wanted to come out here,”

“So you read about me? My background?” Terry asked, trying to play it cool.

“Correction, my security team has. But they can give me details if I ask for them,” Kennedy shrugged. 

“Do you ask often for every guy you meet?” Terry raised an eyebrow.

“Only the ones that don’t pique my interest. And it takes the mystery out of getting to know someone, honestly. Everyone already knows all about me,” Kennedy ran a hand through her hair, trying not to pull at the strands stressfully.

“I know only about the First Daughter. Not Kennedy,” Terry admitted. “And I would rather someone tell me about themselves rather than I hear it from others,”

Terry started walking again, and Kennedy caught up with him, taking a bite of her beignet.

“How’s the beignet treating you?” Terry asked.

“The best one I ever had,” Kennedy stated. “I once had our chef at home try to make one after my first trip to New Orleans. And they were like a top chef. Michelin star-winning chef. They can’t even touch the hem of this one,” 

“You might need to tell Mr. Harry next time. He would be elated to hear that,” Terry chuckled.

“I can’t make his head bigger than it already is,” Kennedy replied. 

“You always loved New Orleans?” Terry asked.

“I have. My dad attended this institution for his undergraduate studies. Then got his masters in Chicago. That’s where he and my mom met.” A smile took over her face as she thought about her parents’ love story. “My dad was the only one who challenged my mom on her opinions in school. They were both so headstrong. Fell hard and fast for each other,”

“Are they still happily together?” Terry knew it was probably too invasive to ask, but Kennedy found herself intrigued by his bluntness.

“They are now. I think when my mom shifted into politics, it took my dad some adjusting. He was working on other campaigns while my mom focused on social work, and then when she decided that she wanted to be more front-facing, my dad and she would bud heads. However, they eventually worked it out,” Kennedy admitted.

“Wow,” Terry stated. “You're putting a lot on me right now.”

“It’s not like you’re going to give trade secrets away. The team would be on you before you could even go to someone. Big brother is always watching or something like that,” Kennedy stated.

“Does it get tiring, constantly being watched? Having people at your beck and call with information, seeing the danger before you can,”

Kennedy weighed the options, but a sharp look from Terry had her reconsidering.

“No, you get used to it. But it’s like everyone walks on eggshells around you. Debate what you need to know and what you shouldn’t,” Kennedy stated. “I miss deciding for myself,”

Terry tried not to shrink into her shell when he heard those words, knowing he was playing along with the narrative created for Kennedy. 

♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠

“So you saw her at the gym, talked for a little while there, and then she just left,” Agent Wolks asked again.

“Yes,” Terry tried not to seem too measured in his words, knowing everything was being used against him. He was okay with that. But he didn’t know or trust if it would be used against Kennedy.

Agent Wolks took a moment to take Terry in. He wasn’t crazy, knowing she was probably listening to someone speak in her ear com.

“Moving on,” Terry tried not to relax too much; his body language was probably being analyzed to see if he was lying. “After that, I assume you had a meeting with Campbell. A debrief,”

“Yes, I did,” Terry stated.

“Tell me what was talked about then.”

♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠♠♧♠

The sound of boxing gloves hitting boxing gloves radiated through the gym, the ring shifting under the combined weights of both Campbell and Terry as they sparred a few days after he saw Kennedy at the coffee shop.

“What exactly does the dossier you have on me say?” Terry asked, trying to land a body shot on Campbell, but he deflected it effortlessly.

“Classified. Can’t say more,” Campbell stepped back into  Terry’s soach, going straight for a headshot, but Terry countered as he dodged out of the way and landed another hit on Campbell’s head that was covered by his headgear. “She told you about the dossiers on everyone at the school?”

“She did. I’m guessing I wasn’t supposed to know,” Terry chuckled.

“Yeah, but honestly, if she didn’t say something, I would be worried. Kennedy is big on honesty,” Campbell explained. “But not in a I’m a tattle-teller kind of way. She can be Fort Knox when she wants to be.”

“When did you become head of her security detail?” Terry asked, stepping back to assess the situation.

“Probably two years ago. Towards the end of her mom’s first term. She had just turned twenty. One night, she snuck out with some girls she had become friends with during her undergraduate studies and got a little too drunk. It wasn’t a good look when she came back home, but I guess I stepped up when I came to get her and helped keep things quiet,” Campbell explained, Terry dodging a three-piece he threw.

“Keep things quiet,” Terry said. Campbell took a break and stepped back, taking off his headgear.

“It was the first and the last time Kennedy ever drank. Imagine you’re the First Daughter of a nation. But as you know and can relate to, you’re the First Daughter and you happen to be Black. And on top of that, your mother is the First Female President and also happens to be Black,” Campbell said, weighing his words.

“I get it. You can’t fuck up,” Terry shifted his headgear off as well.

“Exactly. And she fucked up. Got drunk. Someone took a video. She was a mess. But by the next day, it was as if it had never happened. Mom flew back from a peace summit and lit her up. Mind you, she’s just a kid. Doing shit kids do when they feel rebellious,” Campbell stated. 

“Yeah, but there’s an added pressure when everything you do is being watched, and it turns into a primetime discussion. Kennedy already tried to stay off the radar as much as possible, so when she slipped up and did that, it was like a reckoning for her.” Campbell hung out in his corner.

“So that’s why you brought me in? To keep her in line?” Terry needed to know what he was getting into.

“No. Help her step out of it safely. As much as I want to be there all the time, I can’t. I’m not saying she’s going to have a moment and act out, but she’s allowed to let her guard down without the fear of prying eyes. And I know you wouldn’t try to sell a story,” Campbell pointed out.

“I get it,” Terry stated. “But should I be worried that she might do something off the wall again? You know I hate surprises,”

“She won’t. Trust me. She drinks socially, and even then, I think she’s afraid of more than four sips of wine,” Campbell chuckled. “Madame President must have scarred her for life,”

Terry weighed the story in his mind as Campbell chuckled.

“I just think she should be able to enjoy herself responsibly and around people she can trust. And I trust you,” Campbell said sincerely.

“Glad you trust me. Cause next round, I’m not gonna be so nice to you,” Terry chuckled.

“I expect nothing less,” Campbell took a swig of his water before adjusting his headgear. Terry did the same before both came back at each other.

An hour later, Campbell was gone, and Terry was closing the gym because he had let one of the students leave early, who was supposed to help. It was a better way to spend his night than to head home alone. 

Mike was DJing at a school event, knowing his cousin wouldn’t be back until the wee hours of midnight. Nothing was waiting for him at home. 

As Terry began moving through the closing night duties, he heard a knock at the front door. He was going to ignore it, but upon seeing who it was, he became curious. He walked up front and saw Kennedy, her hair pulled back, as she wore a hoodie over her head, with two agents behind her.

“What are you doing here?” Terry asked after he let her in.

“I wanted to swim,” Kennedy explained.

“We’re about to be closed for the night.” 

“I know. But I’m willing to barter. This gym is way too big for one person to clean,” Kennedy stated.

“I manage,” Terry countered.

“I’m willing to help you clean up. I know I may appear to have never endured manual labor in my life, but my parents made sure we had chores to help out. I’m a mean mopping machine,” Kennedy smiled. “Just give me thirty minutes to swim, and then I will be off to help. Please,” 

Terry sighed, weighing the pros and cons, giving her the go-ahead with a flick of his hand.

“Thank you, Terry,” Kennedy stated. 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hope you know, I don’t like streaks. And if they’re in here, they gotta help too,” Terry pointed to the Secret Service agents behind her.

Terry showed Kennedy where the pull was and the locker rooms, then headed off to perform some closing duties nearby. She soon stepped out in a two-piece bikini, passing by as he checked the trash cans by the pill to make sure they were clear. But his focus followed the sway of her hips slightly—only a little.

Terry tried to make himself scarce, but he saw a note from one of the lifeguards, asking him to check the pool’s pH at the end of the day. As he began looking for the supplies, he caught sight of Kennedy floating on her back, eyes shut. Her brown skin glistened with droplets of water.

Terry stopped for a moment to watch her, seeing that she looked to be at peace for a moment. She must have felt his eyes on her because Kennedy opened them, and her head dipped under the water for a moment before she came back up.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” Terry kept his eyes on her eyes and not on the rivulets of water going between her breasts. He was a man after all.

“You’re good. I’m ruining your routine,” Kennedy stated. “Thanks for the special treatment. I went to the quad party, and I just needed some fresh air. Everyone was… a lot,”

“Is everyone a lot all the time?” Terry asked, stepping closer to the edge of the pool.

“Yeah, they are. I couldn’t even grab the freebies without someone asking for a picture or wanting to talk. To hang out and be friends. And then others were displeased that I was there,” Kennedy stated.

“I’m sorry about that,” Terry mentioned, looking down at Kennedy.

“It’s all part of the title.” Kennedy shrugged. She began to lift herself out of the pool, Terry offering his hand, and she took it. She shivered as she came in contact with the cold air, not realizing how close she was to Terry. But he was acutely aware of the shape of her body pressing against hers.

“I already cleaned the girls’ showers for you,” Terry said. 

“Thank you, Terry,” Kennedy said, moving around him, as she pulled away, even though she didn’t want to let go.

Kennedy kept her promise, helping Terry clean up the gym. She was on mopping duty, humming to herself as she moved around while Terry took care of refilling cleaning supplies and such.

Once they were both done, Terry locked up with her Secret Service detail and Kennedy, who was waiting outside.

“Thanks for helping out,” Terry said. “Hopefully, there were no streaks left behind.”

“I’m good on my word,” Kennedy stated. It wasn’t even late yet, and she had swum; there was all this energy she had. The city always got her like this.

“Any big plans?” Terry asked, slipping his backpack on both arms and tightening it.

“Probably gonna head home, watch some TV, and eat something good with these two guys,” She pointed to her agents. “Do you need a ride home?”

“I probably should, especially this late. I left my car at home since my cousin was on campus today and I don’t feel like schmoozing with people till he’s done with his set,” Terry admitted.

“Schmoozing? I can’t even picture you and that word in the same sentence,” Kennedy smiled.

“There’s more than meets the eye to me, Kennedy,” Terry chuckled. “One of my party tricks, I guess.”

“We can give you a ride.” Kennedy stated.

Soon, Terry was in the backseat of a government-issued vehicle, two Secret Service members sitting in the driver's and passenger seat, respectively.

“Sorry about this. The limo is out of order today,” Kennedy said, making conversation.

“There’s a limo?” Terry asked with an eyebrow raised.

“It was a joke,” Kennedy chuckled. “It’s only for when I’m in Washington,” 

Terry snorted, and Kennedy raised an eyebrow,

“That is true,” Kennedy chuckled. 

“Is it something you like? Being driven everywhere?”

“No, weirdly enough. I got my license, but it feels more like a show. I have never driven outside of learning to drive and my driver’s test,” Kennedy admitted.

“I’ve been driving since I was fourteen, practically. My granddad would hand me the keys when he needed to go somewhere and said to make sure I didn’t kill us,” Terry replied.

“Well, did you make sure not to kill him?” Kennedy stated. 

“He passed away, but not at the hands of me,” Terry chuckled, Kennedy joining him. “Cancer took him.”

“I’m sorry,” Kennedy apologized.

“Thank you,” Terry stated. 

“You must have a lot of memories from driving him around,” Kennedy stated.

“I do. I feel like he’s one of the reasons I’m the man I am today.”

“And what type of man are you, Terry?” Kennedy asked, her brown eyes so full.

“A good man, just trying to make it one day at a time. Probably doing more for others than I should,” Terry stated. 

“There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s selfless and it’s beautiful,” Kennedy replied. “You do things with your heart. I mean, I hardly know you, but I can tell,”

Those words coming from Kennedy warmed him, and he gave her a small, sincere smile that she returned.

The car soon pulled up to the apartment address Terry had given, and he gathered his belongings to head out.

“You want me to walk you to your door?” Iriye asked genuinely. At first, Terry blinked at Kennedy, having never had the roles reversed before. 

“Sure,” Terry said. Kennedy got out from her side, and Terry met her there. A secret service agent was about to step out, but she put her hand up in signal for him to stop. She let Terry lead her to the gate of his apartment, not wanting to incite more panic from her agents.

Terry caught her shivering, her damp hair in view, and he stepped into Kennedy’s space. 

“You’re shivering,” He stated, moving to reach for the hoodie by her neck, his hands brushing against her neck, and a shiver ran down her spine even more. He lifted her hoodie, securing it over her head, and Kennedy took in his blue eyes, noticing how attentive he was to details.

“Thank you, Terry,” Kennedy whispered, her eyes dropping down to his lips for a moment.

“You’re welcome, Kennedy,” Terry whispered back. He tucked one of her curls into the hoodie, stepping away from her. “Have a good night, and thanks for the ride. Maybe the next time, you’ll be behind the wheel,” 

“I could only dream,” Kennedy stated. She waved goodbye before walking back to the car, Terry waiting to go into the apartment until she got back safely. Kennedy slinked into the backseat, and Terry let out the breath he was holding.