Interlude: First Noel (The Executive Office #1.5)

by Tal Bauer

And then he turned back to Ethan, a sly grin curling his lips. “I know this one agency, though. Real workhorses. You may have heard of them. Called the IRS.” Ethan laughed out loud, his head tipping back. “No.” “What? Surprise audits going ten years back for all the people who have even looked sideways at you. Everyone will be too busy to bother you anymore!”

Canada waved and sent a big smile, but that was Canada’s reaction to nearly everyone.

“This is twice now you have paid great disrespect to my friend, my ally.” He gestured to Jack. “You think you can disrespect Russia’s friends and suffer no consequences? No, Russia is a better ally than that.”

“Take us to the underground entrance, Agent Collard. If you please.” A long, silent moment. Jack watched Ethan as Ethan counted down the seconds until they were back at the White House. “Respectfully, Mr. President,” Scott buzzed back. “No shit.”

“I want to be with you,” Jack whispered. “Really with you, Ethan. Like this isn’t a scandal. I want you by my side in those photos I just had to take. I don’t want you hanging out in the corners. I don’t want you to be my dirty little secret.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes as they kept dancing, their foreheads resting together, and traded soft kisses in between smiles and gentle giggles.

Scott pulled back into the DC traffic, navigating back to the White House. “Did you get what you needed?” “Don’t know yet. He kicked me out.” Scott grinned. “That’s FBI-speak for you won. Congratulations.” Ethan snorted.

Ethan watched him read the words Ethan had agonized over for days: J, All of my hours and all of my minutes now belong to you. ~ E

Once, Ethan had seen a movie that spoke about four great kisses in the history of the world. Step aside, he thought. This is the kiss of the ages.

“Hard choices require hard love. The kind of love that sometimes hurts it runs so deep. You have that kind of love for the world, Jack. And for everybody.” Ethan’s voice had dropped, rougher and deeper. “You are a good man.”

“Ethan…God, I’m so glad you’re coming. I need you right now.” “I love you, Jack. And I’m with you all the way.”