"No idea, however, we're certain Tagle was never in and was not killed in Iraq." Chuckie heaved a sigh. "As far as we can tell, the body was dropped out of a helicopter. The helicopter has been found. It was local and was stolen the day prior."

"So, Cliff and his gang went to Cuba, which makes a lot of sense. They find Dr. Tagle who maybe doesn't want to work with the guy who's just been unmasked on international TV as the man trying to kill half the world. So, they force him to work on Cliff. He doesn't succeed. He's killed for his trouble."

"How would they get the body there?" Mahin asked. "They have no gate access."

"They've found a way." And that was probably related to the Tinkerer or Stephanie or both. "Maybe their water bender can see the dials on the gates. Besides, they created random floater gates when they had us all trapped in the quicksand in Groom Lake during Operation Defection Election, remember? Who's to say they didn't do it again?"

She nodded while Tim shuddered and muttered something about The Lion King. "Oh, I do remember, Kitty," Mahin said darkly. "Believe me. But why leave the body in Iraq?"

Chuckie jerked. "Oh. I'm really off today. It's to disrupt the peace talks, to create another international incident. Cuba's not going to be happy when they find out what's happened to Tagle-he was considered a shining light there."

"And they'll find a way to blame us," Jeff said.

Mahin nodded. "If it's made public, this could easily turn into an incident between not only America and Cuba, but America and Iraq, and potentially the rest of the Middle East."

"That means Cliff's alive." Everyone looked at me and they all looked surprised. Refrained from heaving a sigh. I was Ms. Self-Control tonight. "That's a Screw-You Move, not a strategic move. He's not involved in anything else that's going on-if they've killed Tagle, then Cliff's too sick or hurt to really get involved. Otherwise, Tagle would still be with them, caring for Cliff. But Cliff can have his people dump the body in a place that will cause issues for us and the rest of the world, too."

"Makes sense, and I'll relay your thinking." Chuckie sat back down, though he looked like he wanted to pace. "So, what other loose ends do we have?"

"So many," Jeff said, as he leaned his head on his hand. "And I get the feeling they'll be never-ending."

Decided tomorrow was another day. "You know what, let's just get to bed early and go over this stuff tomorrow."

"We're at Camp David tomorrow," Serene said, indicating herself, Reader, Tim, and Chuckie.

"Fine. Camilla and Malcolm, are you with Chuckie or us tomorrow?"

"I'm with you, Missus Executive Chief. As always."

Camilla looked thoughtful. "I'll go with the security team."

"Why so?" White asked.

She shrugged. "I could use some rest."

CHAPTER 88.

THE MEETING BROKE UP and everyone headed to their rooms or to the Embassy, depending. Chuckie went to the Embassy as well, based on the fact that we were technically still in a state of emergency. Camilla went there as well. Had to figure the Embassy's guest rooms were filled up and Doreen, Christopher, and the others who lived there had every room in their apartments taken, too.

Jeff and I called down to medical to check with Tito about the status of his variety of patients. No one seemed permanently hurt other than Joe and Randy. He was keeping them under observation, and he was also consulting with Drax and the other Vata about possible implications.

The Planetary Council, in the meantime, had made a love connection with Tevvik and the others who'd come after Drax, and were making plans for visits of state once Earth's business was taken care of. Nice to see adversity and lockdown bringing everyone together.

"So, do you want to go to the Embassy and get the kids or have Nadine and the security team bring them over?" Jeff asked, as we headed for our rooms. At least, I was fairly sure that's where we were headed. The stairs and hallway looked familiar at any rate.

Actually gave this some thought. "How will we do that normally? I mean, say, a month from now?"

"I have no idea. I can barely think a week in advance right now." He sounded exhausted and very down. Was pretty sure my being angry with him hadn't helped anything and felt bad. Because I wasn't angry now-there was too much going on to stay mad at the people I loved the most.

Took his hand and squeezed it. "I'm sorry I was so upset with you."

"You had every right. That's the worst of it, baby-you had every right to be angry. None of us have a legitimate leg to stand on in regard to this. We ignored counsel from people with more experience and those who weren't as emotionally involved and we messed up, big time. And the ultimate decision rested with me, and I did what you said-I let fear control my responses." He shook his head. "Yesterday I felt like we were in some sort of control. Now? Now I truly feel like I should resign and let someone, anyone, else handle all of this."

"No."

"No what?"

Stopped walking in the middle of the stairway and made him look at me. "No, you don't get to quit. No, you don't get to wallow. And no, you don't get to keep on blaming yourself. The only things I'm mad about that you did were canceling the protocols, which allowed some guy at Andrews to aim warheads at my ship, and letting Stephanie out, and I understand why you did both. You did it because you love me."

"Yeah, but I hurt your feelings, and I could tell."

"I'm hurt because you guys caving based on that video made me feel like you didn't know me, didn't respect that I have skills, and somehow were more willing to believe I was helpless than on top of things and turning the tables. But, I get it. I can honestly say that I have no idea what I'd have done if our situations had been reversed. When you're watching the person you love being tortured and hearing them begging you to save them, it's damned easy to give in."

"You didn't give in way back when."

"You mean when Beverly had a needle to your throat? Or when Taft was aiming a gun at your head? Or tons of other times like that? I was there, right there, and I knew I could save you. It's a different situation, Jeff, and now that I'm no longer upset, I can see that."

"But it was still a mistake that almost cost you your life and me everything that matters to me."

"Look, every President has had to make a decision that he regretted, and all of them have had to make hard decisions-some, like Truman, had to make the hardest-and every one of them has second-guessed themselves. You made mistakes when you were the Head of Field. Just like James made today. Chuckie made mistakes when he was the Head of the E-T Division, just like he did today. Mistakes aren't what matter. What you do after you've made those mistakes is what matters."

"You really don't think I should resign?" I heard the fear, hurt, and self-doubt in his voice, and I recognized it because I'd heard it before. As Reader had told me more than once and as I knew myself, Jeff wasn't as cocky and confident inside as he seemed to the rest of the world. Inside, he was still a shy little boy who didn't think that anyone other than his Aunt Terry and Christopher really loved him or believed in him.

Hugged him tightly and he, like Chuckie and Reader before him, clutched me to him. "No, Jeff. I may have threatened divorce when I was furious with you, but I really will leave you if you've suddenly turned into some guy who lets one setback destroy him. That's not you. You're a leader, Jeff, a natural leader. You're the best man for any job you want to take, and right now, this country needs the best man leading it. The world does, too, because if the wrong person is in the White House, then it affects everyone negatively."

"But I almost killed you. And all the others, too."

"Yes, you did. Because you were deceived. Because Stephanie's a bitch and she knows just where to hit you and Christopher. You think it was an accident that they took Richard, too? The Kendroid thought Lizzie was my daughter-Stephanie's not as good at this as Antony Marling was, and for that we should be grateful. But they took Lizzie to use against you, too. Abby and Mahin were along because they're family. And Stephanie wants to hurt her family as much as she can."

"Why? You think it's because of that Trevor guy?"

"No, and you need to stop giving her any benefit of any doubt. I think Trevor the Tinkerer is helping her because he's finally found The One-the person in the right bloodline who is exactly like Ronald Yates. But this is all Stephanie. I recognize her signature, if you will, just like Adriana does. And she did it all, like you said, to hurt you. To destroy you, if possible. And you quitting, you giving up, means she wins. And I refuse to let any of our enemies win, the kid who smugly told me you and I would never be allowed to be married most of all."

His body was still tense. "But what if I make a mistake at these peace talks? What if I'm the reason another war starts?"

Couldn't help it, I snorted. "Oh my God, Jeff, there's never been peace in the Middle East and there probably never will be until or unless we're invaded again by the Z'porrah. Mossad says the leaders coming aren't acting right, meaning they're either trying to use all that's gone on in America as an excuse to fight or someone's gotten to them. But your job is to mediate, to be that voice of calm authority. And that's all you can do."

"You're sure I can and should be doing this?"

Hugged him as tightly as I could. "Yes, Jeff. I know you're the right man for the job. And as long as you stop doubting yourself, you'll do the job I know you can." Looked up at him. "I chose the pick of the litter, remember? And just because you piddled on the carpet and I stepped in it and rubbed your nose in it, you're still the pick of the litter and I still love you."

He laughed and I felt his body relax. "You compared me to a cat in your mind earlier, when you all came back and decided not to secede from our nation. Not sure which one I like better."

"I like when you're the jungle cat best myself."

Now his eyelids drooped a bit as his eyes smoldered and he got a very sexy smile on his face. "That's good to hear," he purred. Then he pulled me to him and kissed me, deeply and a little frantically. Something like how he had at the end of Operation Drug Addict, right before he proposed.

We were like this for a good long while, as both of us relaxed and remembered why we were together. Jeff didn't stop kissing me until I was grinding my whole body against his. But then he did end our kiss, slowly. "We'll discuss the rest of this later, after the kids are asleep."

Heaved a sigh as we separated a bit. "I see how you're getting back at me."

He laughed and put his arm around my shoulders as I put mine around his waist and we continued on upstairs. "No, though I'm incredibly relieved we're back to our version of normal. But we do have two children and a teenager to wrangle into bed. And since I wasn't sure that they'd ever see their mother again, I kind of want to get our family together and just be normal. Well, our version of normal."

"Works for me." Pulled out my phone and sent Lizzie a text asking where in the White House she was. She replied as we reached our well-guarded rooms. "Huh."

"What?"

"Lizzie went to the Embassy after dinner to check on the kids. Apparently Christopher okayed it and went with her, since he was going back to his family anyway. So, she says that Jamie and Charlie are fine and that she, Nadine, and the gang on Animal Duty will come over shortly."

"What about the animals on guard duty over there?"

"It's nice to see you embracing our Animal Kingdom." Continued to text. "Lizzie says that as far as she can tell the Peregrines on duty there are staying, other than Lola, Mork, and Mindy who are coming back with them." Bruno was back on duty here, since I felt a gentle nudge at my leg.

"Any idea if Buchanan's heard from Siler or Wruck yet?"

"None, but I imagine Malcolm will let us know when he does. They're on a mission, I'm sure they're not going to be checking in regularly." And Jeff was a terrible liar, so decided to change the subject, because I didn't want him accidentally freaking Lizzie out. "Where are Crystal Maurer's kids?"

"With their grandmother and father under heavy guard." He sighed. "I feel like that was the last right decision I made today."

"Stop it. Again, I'm sorry I was so mad that I've affected you this badly, but stop. You made plenty of right decisions today, including telling me to leave the kids at daycare with Nadine. So, let's focus on what we need to do to get through these peace talks. The rest will undoubtedly take care of itself."

"Sure. There's a first time for everything."

Lizzie confirmed that I had time to take a shower and change clothes and, in fact, insinuated that would be a great idea so that I didn't freak the kids out. Chose not to argue. Chose instead to insist that Jeff shower with me.

Also chose not to care if our guardians outside could hear us having sex or not. Jeff clearly needed to know that I truly forgave him. Happily, we were out of our clothes fast, in the shower faster, and he had me up against the wall and yowling happily even faster still. Felt he could be sure that I'd forgiven him by my fourth orgasm, but went on to have two more just so that he could be certain.

Cleaned up, dried off, dressed in clean clothes, and sexually fulfilled-not necessarily in that order-we were ready just in time for the return of our children and their entourage. Jamie had insisted the animals stop by to see us, and after the day we'd had, I figured it really couldn't hurt.

"The pets and I are all glad you're home, Mommy," Jamie said cheerfully as I took her from Nadine and Jeff took Charlie from Lizzie, while the pets prowled around our suite, presumably looking for evildoers or a place to mark their territories.

"What about Charlie?"

"Oh, I guess he is, too." She shrugged. "You know how it is with babies. I don't think he understood what was going on."

Managed not to laugh, mostly because, as always, Jamie's comment seemed far too knowing for a four-and-a-half-year-old. Well, for someone other than my four-and-a-half-year-old. "What do you think was going on, Jamie-Kat?"

"Bad people were trying to do bad things." She hugged me tightly. "I'm glad you're okay, Mommy, and that you found Ross and Sean's daddies. They were worried about them, just like I was worried about you." Ross was Joe and Lorraine's son, and Sean was Randy and Claudia's. They'd been born about a minute apart and while they weren't as talented as Jamie, Charlie, or Serene's son, Patrick, they were still showing more abilities than most hybrid male children ever had before outside of the direct Yates bloodline.

Didn't ask Jamie how she knew Joe and Randy were back, because I was afraid that the answer wouldn't be that Lizzie had told her. "What about the other kids? Were they worried?"

"Well, Patrick was because he's my best friend," she said seriously. "But his mommy and daddy were okay. Raymond says he's always worried, but Rachel said it would all work out. And she was right! She's usually right because she's older and knows more." Since Rachel was eight and Raymond ten going on eleven, this was both hilarious and worrisome. All of our kids had way too much stress in their lives, and I saw no way to protect them from it.

"What about Raymond?" Jeff asked. "He's the eldest. Does that mean he knows the most?"

Jamie gave Jeff what I could only think of as her version of the "Men" look. "No, Daddy," she said patiently. "He's a boy. They don't know more than the girls. Almost ever."

Jeff looked at me. "Based on today, I'd say that's basically right."

"Some boys know more and some girls know more. Everybody's different, Jamie-Kat."

"I know Uncle Charles knows a lot, but no one knows more than Nona Angela. Or you, Mommy." She looked up at me quite seriously. "Girls are better. Though I like the boys. But they aren't as smart as me and Rachel." She looked over at our Resident Teenager. "And no one's cooler or smarter than Lizzie, Mommy."

Lizzie blushed. "I totes didn't pay her to say that."

I laughed. "I know. Not gonna lie, I totally agree with you, Jamie-Kat. But still, boys are good, too. What would we do without Daddy and Charlie? And Raymond watches out for all of you, Patrick's your best friend, and you know that Ross and Sean would do anything for you. The other kids in daycare are all your friends, too, aren't they?"

"Oh, I still love them all, Mommy, don't worry. Especially Daddy." Charlie gurgled in what I truly felt was a hurt manner. "Oh, and Charlie," she said looking right at him. "You know I love you, even if you drive me crazy."

Charlie gurgled happily at that and snuggled into Jeff's chest.

"So I think we should all sleep together tonight," Jamie added. "Even Lizzie and Nadine."

"Um, why so?" Had no idea where this was coming from.

Jamie looked at me again, once again with a very Serious Little Girl Face on. "Because you and Daddy had such a bad day."

CHAPTER 89.

JEFF AND I actively chose not to question this. Couldn't speak for him, but I wasn't emotionally prepared to hear Jamie's answers.

Lizzie and Nadine were far less shocked than we were, however. "She's been suggesting that since I got over there," Lizzie explained reassuringly, presumably because our expressions told her we were freaked out, which I certainly was, and a quick glance at Jeff said he was possibly more so.

"I think the children are aware when we go into lockdown," Nadine said. "Therefore, they know that things are . . . tense."

"Raymond says that lockdown means all our mommies and daddies are busy saving the world again and we need to stay put and stay safe in order to help them."

"Wow, Raymond is totally on top of all of that and he's also completely right, Jamie-Kat." Wondered which child's innocence I should feel worse about having somehow taken away, my daughter's or Kevin and Denise's son's. Had to lean toward Raymond in this case, because he was just an amazing and awesome regular human boy.

"Oh, we know Raymond is right about being safe. But Rachel's right about things that will happen."

Then again, maybe there was more going on with the Lewis kids than I realized. However, tonight was not the time to find out.