Page 17 of Campaign Season
Candace smiled genuinely. “I plan to.”
For a moment, silence lingered, the kind that came when business and friendship overlapped. Alex had seen Candace at her weakest and still believed in her strength. Candace drew comfort from that—more than she’d ever admit aloud.
“Go on,” Candace said softly. “You’ve got threads to pull.”
Alex gave her a nod, the kind born of years of loyalty and friendship. “Don't I always?"
Candace smiled. When the door closed, Candace leaned back in her chair and exhaled slowly. She was already thinking about Popov, Ostrowski, and Barbu. But it would hold—for now. She opened her laptop and pressed play on the video.
"Shit!" Jameson yelled.
"I got him!" Aubrey called out before landing in the mud.
Candace laughed, the video serving as a vivid reminder that life continued even under the heaviest burdens. As she watched, a warmth spread in her chest, proving she wasn’t made of steel. It reinforced her belief in the importance of this office and her choice to sit in this chair. Everyone deserved the chance to enjoy life's simple moments without fear or threat.
She sighed. "Just what are you planning, Yuri?"
Alex stepped out of the Oval Office, adjusting her blazer as her mind raced through her contacts. A familiar voice echoed through the hallway.
“Hey, Deputy,” Cassidy called, falling into step beside her. “You look like you just came from a funeral.”
Alex arched a brow. “Defense meeting. Close enough.”
Cassidy studied her for a moment, reading her the way only someone with a lifetime of shared history could. “Worried about Candace?”
“Not worried,” Alex said, then hesitated. “She's tired. Worn thinner than she’ll ever admit.”
Cassidy sighed, her expression softening. “Jonathan's not doing well,” she explained.
"I saw the toll this place took on John."
"I know. Candace needs to find her balance again, Alex. She's worried about the kids... and she carries a lot of guilt."
"Guilt?"
"Making the sacrifices to be here is one thing for her; asking that of her family is another."
"I don't think any of Candace's kids see it that way."
"No," Cassidy agreed.
"At least JD gave her a reason to laugh, thanks to a steelhead trout and a clumsy dive into the mud."
Cassidy laughed. “I saw the clip. Shell said she should sell the rights toReality: White House.”
“It would sell," Alex chuckled. “For once, the cameras caught something worthwhile.”
"Let's see if someone finds JD a shower before she flies home," Cassidy added.
They paused at the junction where their paths split, Cassidy heading for the press wing and Alex toward her office. For a moment, Alex wished she could follow Cassidy instead—home, to laughter, to normal. But her phone buzzed, duty already pulling her forward.
Cassidy noticed the flicker in her eyes. “Go save the world, Batman,” she teased gently.
"I feel a lot more like Alfred these days," Alex replied.
"Well, you always told me you live to serve."
Alex laughed, leaned close, and kissed Cassidy's cheek. "Are you going to bring a tackle box to the press conference?"
