* * *
David stood at the front of the limousine, pushing his hands in and out of his pants pockets over and over again as the private jet he'd arranged to pick up Lauren taxied to a stop. She'd made it from the hospital in Nashville back to Washington D.C. in just a little more than three hours. The jet door burst open and Lauren jumped out, toting a small carry-on bag. She broke into a dead run for the thirty or so yards it took to reach the Chief of Staff.
She was panting by the time she reached David and skidded to a stop. Please don't let me be too late. No, David wouldn't be here if she were..."David! Is..."
He waved her off, indicating the press hounds that were waiting nearby, their cameras snapping away and tape recorders waiting to pick up any part of the conversation. The world had simply imploded since the announcement had been made. The Press was everywhere, dogging every move every White House staffer made. Looking for hidden meanings behind every activity or decision.
David pulled open the limo door and hustled Lauren inside the car. The door had barely slammed shut when the car jerked forward, a police escort clearing their path.
He took a seat across from her. The first words out of David's mouth once they were alone were, "She's alive."
Lauren let out a shuddering breath and said another prayer. But before she could even savor a moment of relief, a wave of anger assailed her, overwhelming her and guiding her action. She leaned forward and poked David in the chest with a furious finger. "Where was all her security, David?!" The volume of her voice increased with every word. "They were supposed to protect her!"
Guilt clouded his eyes. "Lauren, she was shot leaving the stage. They reacted quickly, exactly the way they're trained to. They got her out of there and to the hospital. They caught the assassin." His jaw clenched. "You know as well as I do, if someone is determined enough, nothing will stop him!"
Lauren lowered her hand, but her posture remained challenging. "Those sound like nothing but excuses to me. If they were doing their job, they would have gotten the assassin before she was shot!" She slumped back in her seat with her arms crossed. Lauren knew she was being unreasonable. That she was lashing out at someone who didn't deserve it. But she was furious, and she felt like she was losing the tenuous control she had of her emotions. It was too much at the same time. Her mother. Dev.
David took a chance and moved next to Lauren who remained deathly still. He could see she was trembling slightly, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his shoulder. "Have you cried yet?"
Lauren violently tried to shove him away, unable to stand the closeness, not wanting to let go of the fraying emotional thread she was clinging to. But David didn't move. He was as solid as a rock. Lauren's pushing soon gave way to weak pawing, punctuated by ragged, pained breaths as the writer fought more with herself than David. "I... don't... need... to... " She tried to grind out the words between clenched teeth, but her speech was interrupted by her quivering chin and by broken sniffles she foggily realized were her own. She felt long arms tighten around her, and she sank into their warmth and comfort. Another sniffle and the dam simply broke. Lauren buried her face in David's chest and began to cry in earnest. For everything.
"That's it. Get it all out. It's okay," he soothed softly, knowing damn well that he'd be doing the same thing in his wife's arms tonight. "Get it out before we get to the hospital."
They traveled several miles before the hot tears began to slow, and Lauren began to hiccup.
David blew out a deep breath. "I'm gonna tell you something she'll kill me for later, but you need to know. In the ambulance, it was you she was calling for."
"Real... really?" Lauren sniffed, wiping her eyes with the clean, white handkerchief David pressed into her hand.
He nodded, backing off a little to give Lauren some breathing room so that she could compose herself. "Really. She wanted you. She only relaxed after we all assured her you were on your way back."
Lauren wiped her face one more time and expelled a shaky sigh. God, I needed that. “Thank you, David." Her eyes conveyed her true regret, and she reached out and squeezed his forearm gently. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said those things, especially to you."
He laughed. "What do you think the first thing I said was? Only I wasn't very nice about it." He rolled his neck and shoulders, popping the joints. "It's been a long day. Okay, do you want me to fill you in before we get there, or do you need more time to just let it all soak in?"
Lauren shook her head. "No. Tell me now so I don't fall apart at the hospital." She turned a watery smile on David. "Instead, I'll just fall apart... again... here with you if I need to."
He gave her a reassuring smile. "That's what I'm here for. I've got broad shoulders." David placed his hand over the one Lauren had resting on his arm. "There were four shots, and Devlyn was hit three times. Once in the hip, once in the shoulder, and one grazed her head." He stopped when he saw the color drain from Lauren's face. Poor kid. It's been a helluva couple of days for her.
Lauren's eyes widened, and she swallowed against a wave of nausea. "Three times? My God," she breathed. Lauren shivered and wrapped her arms around herself in mute comfort. She pinned David with shiny, determined eyes. "Is she going to be okay?"
David nodded. "With rest and lots of help from her friends, yeah, she's gonna be fine. She got out of a couple of minor surgeries to repair the damage about an hour ago. They went very well. Dev is a strong woman." He wrapped his arms around Lauren, and she didn't resist his reassuring touch. "When you see the video it'll seem worse than it really is; scalp wounds like to bleed a lot. The shoulder wound was clean and the bullet traveled clear through. The bullet had to be removed from her hip. She's going to need a lot of TLC and therapy to get back on her feet. And if her bout with food poisoning was anything to go by, boy, is she gonna be grumpy. She's not accustomed to being inactive, and I would imagine we are going to have our hands full."
Lauren wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. "As long as she's okay. She can be as grumpy as she wants."
David's laughter rang out for the first time all day. "You and I are talking about the same Devlyn Marlowe, aren't we? You know how she gets. You think you're ready for that?"
Lauren laughed along with the Chief of Staff. "Umm... well, it sounded good at the time. But you're right, this is Devlyn we're talking about. So nobody is ready for that."
David lowered his head to give her a very serious look. "She cares for you, Lauren." There was more to it and he knew it. So a second later he added, "A lot. She's going to need you now. Need your friendship." He searched to gauge her a reaction.
Gray eyes brimmed with tears again. She straightened David's wrinkled suit coat and smiled warmly at the man she had coming to regard as a friend. "Don't you worry, David. She's got that." And a lot more.
* * *
Dev's nose began to twitch as a familiar fragrance washed over her senses. It was so faint that it was barely detectable, but it was an aroma easily recognizable even in her drug-induced stupor. Lauren's perfume. Dev forced open impossibly heavy eyelids, blinking with exaggerated slowness. "Is... she...?" Her voice was scratchy, and her tongue felt thick and unresponsive. She licked dry lips to moisten them. "Is Lauren home yet?" She tried to look around the quiet room, but her mind was in a murky haze brought on by painkillers and the lingering effects of anesthesia.
Dev felt the bed move slightly and the heat of another human being press up against her. Her cool, limp hand was lifted and cradled by two, smaller, warmer ones. "Hiya, Wonder Woman," a soft, southern voice burred. "I can't leave you alone for a minute, can I?"
Devlyn tried to wrestle the silly grin off her face as she blearily focused on Lauren. "Hey, Mighty Mouse. Know what?"
Lauren ran her fingertips down Dev's cheek. She's okay. She's here. “What, Devlyn?"
"Morphine is my friend. And I luvvv your accent. Did you know that it slips out more when you're not thinking? It's so sweet." She giggled, for some
reason finding that incredibly humorous. "There's just so much about you..." Her rambling paused when her eyes began slipping closed.
Tears filled Lauren's eyes again, even as she blushed. "Thanks," she chuckled weakly. Her fingertips gently moved up to trace the bandage circling Devlyn's head. How that must have felt. The dilated eyes that tried so valiantly to maintain contact with hers were confused, but hopeful. They held none of the soul weary despair of her mother's, and Lauren was able to draw a sharp contrast between the two hospital room scenes, having been in this same position only hours before.
The President's eyes opened, rolling up slightly to track Lauren's hand. "Don't worry, sweetheart, it's too tough to do any real damage." She licked her lips again and tried to knock on her own head, to demonstrate its hardness, but her hand fell limply to the bed after valiantly lifting a few inches. Which was okay, Dev decided, because she had already forgotten why she was raising it. She let out another small laugh and then began to mumble just loud enough for every one to hear. "Have I mentioned lately how beautiful I think you are?" A dreamy expression crossed her face.
Lauren's eyes flickered around the room, lighting on indulgent, smiling faces. Her blush deepened. "Oh, God," she muttered, raising her hands to her cheeks to feel their flaming heat. "Devlyn, um... you know we're not alone right now, right?" she asked in a low voice. But even in the midst of her embarrassment, a smile formed unbidden on Lauren's lips. Sweetheart? She thinks I'm beautiful? She nearly swooned.
Dev still couldn't focus her eyes clearly, but she could hear the smile in Lauren's voice. "Yeah, so? I'm never alone. That's part of my problem." She took a deep breath. "Do you have any idea how nervous you make me? I babble like an idiot when I'm around you."
"No, you don't," Lauren lied. Her tone was mildly scolding, but there was a playful edge there as well. "You're perfectly charming, and you know it."
David, Jane and several Secret Service agents politely turned away from the women's conversation, feeling very much like they were intruding on a private moment.
"How are you feeling, Devlyn?" Pale brows drew together at the sight of Dev's multiple IVs, and the machines monitoring her heart rate, blood gases, breathing, and a host of other things Lauren didn't pretend to understand. She had mentally prepared herself the best that she could. But it was still so hard, seeing someone she cared about hurt.
When the President didn't answer she continued, "You scared the crap out of me again, ya know?" Lauren cocked her head to the side and smiled at her friend's vain attempts to keep her eyes pried open. This was second time she'd seen Dev flanked by hospital equipment. "That's becoming a habit I don't much care for. We need to work on that."
"Didn't mean to..." Dev wanted to apologize for scaring Lauren. She didn't want to do anything that would upset the young woman, but words began to go fuzzy in her mind. She grumbled like a petulant child trying to fight the irresistible call of sleep. Her mind began to drift helplessly, but she felt better with the warm body perched on her bed.
Lauren patted Dev's chest comfortingly, careful to avoid her heavily bandaged shoulder. She leaned close to Dev's ear and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before crooning softly, "Sweet dreams, darlin'. I'll be here when you wake up."
Monday, May 10th
The agent outside Dev's hospital room door gave Lauren a small, slightly irritated smile as he went in search of some caffeine. His replacement was already standing in place, alongside the President's door. When Lauren entered Dev's room, she was greeted by the sound of frustrated voices.
"I don't want to wait!" Dev rasped.
Lauren could hear the taller woman fighting to catch her breath, even before she could see her. "I want to see it now, David!"
"Madam President..."
"Cut the Madam President bullshit, David. Order in the video link before I have to call someone else in here to do it!"
"But..." David tried again.
Lauren stepped around the Chief of Staff to see Dev struggling with her IV tubing and a host of wires as she futilely tried to get more upright.
"Jesus, Devlyn." Lauren rushed to her side. "Are you crazy? You're going to tear your stitches!"
Dev seemed to calm almost as soon as soon as she saw Lauren. "Help me, then."
Lauren immediately reached out to take Dev's hand. "I don't understand. What's the matter?" She set to untangling Dev's IV tubing, cursing mildly at the mess the President had made. Why didn't she call a nurse if she wanted to sit up? Or ask David? Lauren fished around for the bed controls, which ended up being on a detachable panel on the side of Dev's railing.
"I want to see the video of the shooting." Devlyn was breathing hard and shooting daggers at David. "But some people don't think I'm ready."
Lauren pressed a button and slowly raised the back of the bed until Dev nodded. "'Some people' are probably right, Devlyn. The tape isn't going anywhere. It's been less than two days."
Dev turned her stare on Lauren, whose cheeks were tinged pink from the cool, spring air and whose hair smelled like flowers. "Oh, don't you go rebel on me too! I am still in charge around here!"
Lauren flashed a look at Dev that was part irritation and part trepidation. "You're going to insist on doing this, aren't you?"
"I shouldn't have to insist, I should only have to ask." She glared at David again, who threw his hands into the air disgustedly.
"Then I'm staying too," Lauren insisted, her tone making it clear she that she wouldn't be dissuaded. Every single cell in her body told her that she did not want to see the tape of Dev being shot. But if Dev ever needed a friend to stand by her... this was the moment. And Lauren swore to herself she wouldn't fail her. But please don't let it be too horrible. She took a deep breath. How could it not be horrible? Somebody shot her three times!
"Fine! I give up." David picked up the phone and made the call.
Dev glanced at Lauren, giving her hand a little tug, and bringing her down to sit on the edge of the bed. "I don't want you to see this." I don't ever want to see you sad.
A tiny crease appeared on Dev's forehead, and the writer had the strongest urge to smooth it away. Lauren's determined gaze softened as she looked into Dev's eyes. "And I feel exactly the same way about your seeing it."
"Yeah, but I need to see it. If for nothing else, so I'll know what not to do next time." Devlyn chuckled humorouslessly, wincing as a burning bolt of pain shot through her shoulder and hip. "I guess not getting hit would be a step in the right direction."
David's gaze dropped to his shoes. Though intellectually he knew he had done everything he could to keep this from happening, he still felt like he'd let down Dev and her kids. He sighed... and Lauren and the entire damned nation.
Lauren squeezed Dev's hand. "You know I'll have to see it eventually. Let's get it over with together." She needs you to be strong. Don't get sick or start crying like some pathetic baby again.
In only a few moments everything was ready, and Dev had ordered the room cleared of everyone but Lauren. She leaned a little closer to the writer. "You ready?" The younger woman's nod seemed hesitant, and Dev briefly considered simply calling the whole thing off, and waiting to view the tape after Lauren had gone home for the day. But Lauren was right. She would have to see it eventually for the book anyway. And at least now they'd be together. "Um... Lauren, this is a combination of several tapes that were running at the same time and have been put together for the best angles. These weren't made for television. The Secret Service films all my public appearances for security reasons. But what happened, the shooting part, is unedited. You know that, right?"
Lauren kept her voice even and her eyes focused straight ahead, though her voice was slightly strained. "I know."
Dev gave a short nod. "Start video."
Lauren found herself taking in a deep breath and holding it when the image came to life in front of them. She smiled at Dev, standing on stage in her dark slacks, tan shirt and camelhair jacket—which was a few shades darker than the
shirt. The applause in the auditorium died down, and Dev perched on a chair to address the students.
Madam President Page 20