Chapter Text
Intruder
Chapter 1
It was a normal day at the White House. President Claremont was giving a speech in the morning to the press about their decision to move forward with a particular bill, and then after she was meeting with a group of children who were visiting the White House for the first time. They were from a private school and this was a social studies field trip. One of the things they wanted to do more than anything was tour the White House and meet the President.
They wrote into President Claremont, and the White House team felt it was a good move to invite them. Ellen had just finished with her meeting, and Zahra was briefing her on the teacher’s names, some of the students, and what the plan for the day was. They walked beside each other through the West Wing, and continued their talk up until they reached the conference room, they were using to seat the children.
“You’ll also be happy to know, FSOTUS is in the building today.”
Ellen raised her brows, a smile growing where a stern expression once was, “Alex is here? He didn’t tell me he was coming.”
“He wanted to be here for the kids incase you needed a break. Prince Henry’s away for a meeting in London, and well when he heard about this- he wanted to be part of it.”
“My son, always watching my back.” Ellen winked, hand on the door knob. Zahra rolled her eyes.
“Yes, always. Especially while causing international scandals…truly, what would you do without him?” Her sarcasm denser than the morning fog. Ellen shook her head with the same smile, wider than before.
“Still my son. Even when getting in trouble.” She chuckled. She was in such a good mood; the day was in her hands. She pushed through the door, and a few members of staff accompanied her. Zahra included.
“Good Morning everyone!” Ellen chimed. The children were standing, ready to greet her. A lot younger looking of a group than she had thought. They were a fourth-grade class, and they all greeted President Claremont with a very scripted hello, and it’s very nice to meet you, before Ellen gave a little opening for them. She talked a little about herself, asked a few questions here and there. They had questions of their own they asked, and she happily answered to the best of her ability.
“Mrs. President, can I ask a question?” A little girl in the middle of the group asked. Only her hand could be seen, raised above her friend’s heads.
“Who is that?” Ellen squinted playfully. “You can absolutely ask a question, but let her come forward guys.” She smiled, waving the girl forward. She pushed through her friends and stood there, with a paper bigger than her, gripped in her shaky hands. She reminded Ellen of June when she was younger. Her brown hair pulled up into a tight donut bun on her head, her jumper so neat and pressed it couldn’t possibly belong to a rambunctious little girl, and her nerves getting the best of her when trying to speak in front of a crowd.
“I’m Theresa, Mrs. President…and I just wanted to know what your favorite part about living in the White House is?” She asked, trying to make eye contact, but finding it scarier than she thought.
“That’s a wonderful question, Theresa. I’d have to say it would be getting to live in the same place that I get to work with so many good, and honest people…but I’ll be even more honest and tell you my favorite part is not having to cook for myself anymore.” She nodded, scrunching up her nose. The little girl laughed, and so did the rest of the kids.
When Ellen was done answering questions, she began her small tour of the White House along with other staff members closely behind. She was happy to see a familiar face stalking up the hallways they were entering, and took the moment to introduce her son. It’d been a while since they’d seen each other in person rather than over facetime. It was hard to get away from Law School, and even harder to pry Henry and him away from each other.
Ellen smiled at her son, waving to him, “Ya’ll, look who we have the privilege of getting to meet! You know I have two children- as mentioned before, this is one of them. My son Alex Claremont-Diaz.”
“Hey guys!” Alex greeted them, coffee in hand. The little girls in the front swooned, and all the boys waved. “How’s it going ya’ll? Are you enjoying the tour?” He asked.
They all responded simultaneously, and rather energetic for such an early morning.
“Whoa! Alright then! Good to hear it!” He beamed, brushing a hand through his hair. Ellen noticed he cut it back a bit. She loved his curls that came from Oscar, and loved when he kept it longer, but tame. She wanted to run her hands through it and hug him, but it would have to wait till they were alone. Even though it’d be wonderful for the mother President to show affection to her son, it wasn’t an appropriate setting.
“Did you meet my sister June yet?” Alex asked.
“No, she’s not in the building today.” Ellen shook her head.
“Aw, that stinks. June would have loved to meet you guys. Who here likes to write?”
He got a show of about three hands. “Okay, great. June is a journalist- do you know what a journalist is?”
He got one hand raised by a boy who stood taller than the rest, and eagerly wanted to be called on. Alex pointed to him, sipping his coffee. “Go ahead!” Alex called out.
The boy shifted feet as he spoke, looking around the room, “It’s a job that someone does where they write about current events, and…uh, I guess the news?”
“That was a great answer,” Alex leaned forward, turning his ear to the group.
“Isaiah.” The boy smiled.
“Great answer, Isaiah! Yeah, a journalist does many different jobs. You can have news journalists, sports journalists-” Zahra tapped Alex’s shoulder.
“Alex, sorry to cut you off, but could we borrow you?” Zahra asked, apologetically looking to the kids. Alex said his goodbyes and told them he’d be back momentarily. He followed Zahra off to the side and let his mother take over again.
“What’s up?” Alex crossed his arms.
There was a pause, and she glanced down at Alex’s lanyard that held a red card with the letter ‘A’ on it, “Just tell me one thing…did you sign in with your badge when you got here?” Zahra asked.
“Uh, no actually-why?” Alex asked, realizing he didn’t even have his badge. It was left home due to him forgetting it on the counter when he was rushing to get out the door.
Zahra sighed, “Okay, that’s all I needed.” Alex quickly realized the color had drained from her face as much as it could against her dark tones.
“Z…what’s wrong?” Alex blinked, sipping more coffee.
She looked back at Alex, as if she were going to start talking but didn’t. She rolled her eyes, and pulled him off a little further away, “We just had someone enter the property…they signed in with your badge only an hour ago.”
“I got here an hour ago. They probably pulled up my credentials and signed me in.” Alex suggested.
“No, it said swiped at a side entrance. They didn’t come through the front. Whoever it is, apparently got through because they saw he had a badge. I’m gonna have a stern fucking word with security for not checking it regardless. I’m livid...I’m also really intrigued on how he got your fucking idea- so you have some explaining yourself.” Zahra shot him a pointed look. She ran a hand through her hair, her diamond snagging on a strand of it.
“I used a guest badge.” Alex blinked. How could he have Alex’s badge? It was at home in New York?
“Guests badges wouldn’t have your credentials on it. Just get back to the kids, we may have a lock down. Bring them to the Oval office.” Zahra tapped her ear piece and looked at Cash. “Take Barracuda to the Oval Office.” She nodded. Cash nodded, and Alex’s stomach dropped. He was used to going on lock down- it happened all the time when he lived here…but something about this one was different. They alerted the President calmly, and she left the kids to go with members of the secret service to be guided out of the building into a safe place for the time being. She demanded Alex go with her, but they decided it was best to keep the children calm and they assured her Alex would be safe in the Oval Office. Alex collected himself enough to start talking to the kids, feeling much more confident with Cash beside him, and a few other agents.
“Guys, we’re going to see where President Claremont signs some of the most important bills and documents. Her office.” Alex smiled, waving them along.
“We get to see the Oval office?” A girl called out. Alex nodded, and eyed Cash. He was calm and ushered the kids down a hallway quickly. The teachers were pulled aside and given instruction of what they are to do in case of immediate evacuation. Alex swallowed as they entered the room, and asked that everyone stand on the furthest side of the room against a long set of bookshelves far away from the doors and windows.
“Hey guys, we’re gonna stop a minute and stay really quiet. We do this a few times a day, where the building is cleared, but while that happens, we have to be really quiet. Okay?” Alex asked, pulling his left hand up to put a finger against his lips. His engagement band catching his eye. His breath caught in his throat- immediately thinking about Henry. Now was not the time to think about that.
“Once we get the okay from Secret Service, we can do a really cool tour of the office. Alright? We’ll even let you guys take a picture at the President’s desk.” Alex was saying anything he could to not think about what was happening.
Alex stood beside the kids, quietly in the office. The secret service was crowding the room, keeping the children sheltered. Cash looked at Alex, and Alex looked back at Cash with a stern expression.
“How much longer?” A boy whined. Alex glanced down at him, then up at the teacher.
“Franklin, quiet down.” The teacher whispered, wincing apologetically at Alex. He pursed his lips, shaking his head at her.
“It’s alright.” He mouthed. The silence carried on for another five minutes. No word yet. “Anything?” Alex mouthed to an agent. He shook his head, pressing the ear piece.
Suddenly and without warning Cash turned toward everyone, “Alright kids, we’re going to play a game.” Cash spoke up and nearly all the agents started scattering around the room. Cash looked to the teachers. They nodded, understanding the code. “The President has to bring a special guest back to her office, so we’ll come back in a little while. What I want everyone to do is remain quiet, form a line and go out that door across from us. We’re gonna practice what we call the crawl, and you need to duck your heads, hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you and stay low. Let’s move out troops.” Cash nodded, waving them to follow across the room. The innocent giggles, and rushed feet started toward the door manned by security. There was a moment of pure adrenaline shooting through Alex. He knew what this meant- they can’t locate the man, and everyone needs to evacuate immediately. His assumes his mother is already far away from the building- which leaves him and the secret service. Zahra is with his mother, and he’s alone with other members of the White House, these kids and their teacher... and some dude posing as himself.
“Alex, follow with.” Cash grabbed his arm. “I have barracuda.” Cash spoke low into his ear piece. Alex nodded, getting his feet to not feel like cement anymore and going forward.
Everything turned to slow motion for Alex when a shot was heard not far from where they were in the Oval office. A scream and then another rang out- more shots. The kids halted, turning to look at them with fear in their eyes.
“What was that?” The boy Franklin called out.
“Let’s go, keep moving.” The secret service tried to pull the kids across the room. That’s when the door from the left side of the room burst open. A man entering whom they thought to be secret service in that moment- but clearly was not, held a hand gun in his left hand pointed at the people of the room.
Cash drew his gun, and other members of the secret service drew theirs. The man was wearing a clean, tailored grey suit and his hair was combed out straight and angled to the right side of his head. He looked completely normal, and if it weren’t for his crazed expression, and the wagging weapon in his hand, he could pass for a respectable visitor to the White House.
“Put your weapon down!” Cash yelled. The children screamed, making the man aim his gun at them. “I said put your weapon down, or we’ll shoot.” Cash yelled.
“I wouldn’t if I were you! This whole building will go up!” The man yelled, and ripped open his jacket with trembling hands. He kept eyes on the people in the room frantically scanning for more weapons and ripped his shirt open to show a piece of machinery strapped to his chest, which they now could assume was some sort of bomb. He grasped his weapon with both hands now, dragging it in the direction of one person to the next. A member of secret service came in behind him, gun pointed and Cash hollered not to shoot. The crazed intruder turned around, firing at the man, sending him backwards.
The children screamed again, and everyone in the room was frozen.
“It’s okay. It’s okay!” The teacher pleaded; hands raised. Her partner was also hands raised, but body in front of the children. “Please don’t shoot them.” She begged, shaking and crying.
“Quiet! All of you!” He yelled. Alex was trying not to panic. He knew this much:
- His mom was safe…he assumes.
- Zahra is safe.
- Henry is safe.
- June and everyone else are presumably safe.
- He is not safe. Not yet.
Not his best list, but his brain shut down moment ago when he saw an agent take a bullet for them. He knew they had to be okay. Their suits were made to withstand bullets. It didn’t change the fact that he was shot at…it didn’t change anything.
“If you lower your weapon, we’ll lower ours. Let’s have a conversation about this…” An agent spoke up, hand raised at him still with his weapon drawn.
“I don’t need to have a conversation.” He shook, pointing his weapon at everyone. “I didn’t come here to have a conversation. I came here to take care of something.” He replied, eyes darting around the room- not resting for a second.
Alex furrowed his brow, trying to stay hidden behind Cash, but wanting to get a look at the man.
“Where is Alexander Claremont- fucking- Diaz? Where is the token whore of the white house?!” He hollered. Alex couldn’t bear to hear him speak like this in front of the children. He stepped out from behind Cash quickly- hands raised. What a fucking idiot, he thought to himself. Cash brought his arm up to scoop Alex back behind him.
“Stay back.” Cash bit back at him.
“Alexander! Come out here.” The man yelled, now staring only in his direction, gun pointed at Cash. The children jumped, watching Alex carefully from where they stood. Alex placed his hand on Cash’s shoulder, and moved over.
“I’m right here…I’m here!” Alex called out with his hands raised like the others. Cash watched between the two. This man clearly had no problem shooting anyone, and Cash was ready to take the bullet.
“Come here.” He said casually, waving his gun toward him. Alex gulped, and when he looked at the terrified faces of the children crowded beside his mother’s desk, he frowned. He turned back to the man and gulped again.
Alex tilted his head back toward them, “Let them go, and we can talk…I’m all yours.” Alex trembled as he spoke.
“They can watch. I don’t give a shit.”
“Let them go…and we can talk.” Alex spoke more sternly. “This doesn’t involve them clearly. Have a heart…let them go.” Alex pleaded, shaking his head.
“Always thinking with your heart…that’s your problem Diaz. That’s your fucking problem.” He said, then broke into laughter. “How’s your boyfriend…or should I say fiancé? I saw that announcement. Good for you- huh? Get everything you wanted? You got your choice?” He mocked.
“Please…whatever this has to do with…just let them go. They have nothing-”
“Shut up! SHUT UP!” The man yelled. The children were crying, and Alex was trying desperately not to do the same. Cash was on guard, and the rest of the secret service was standing by.
Alex could feel his back pocket start to vibrate, very loud through the quiet room. He knew it had to be Henry…the news of the intruder most definitely broke by now. He has to know by now…he has to be watching it by now…waiting impatiently to see his love is safe.
“I’m not asking- I’m begging. Please let them go. You can have me…alone if they can go.”
The man aimed his gun to a clearing in the room and pulled the trigger. Alex flinched, tears streaming down his face- but he held his neutral expression. Alex gave props to the secret service for staying grounded.
“I said to shut up. You don’t know how to listen, Diaz. You just don’t. Never once have you remained in your place, or taken a seat when you were supposed to. Just an ignorant kid, with nothing but a big ego and a self-righteous attitude. Do you really think that’s what’s going to keep getting you through life? Huh? Is it?” He shouted.
“I’m not asking for a lot… please let the children lea-” Alex just about got out before a bullet flew at him from the man’s gun. Cash dove in front of Alex- no hesitation, catching it in his sleeve, blood pooling at the site. Alex fell back as Cash was hit. Cash nearly in his lap, clutching his arm. Alex’s eyes wide, unable to breathe…Cash was shot and he was injured- bleeding in front of him.
“You just let everyone take the bullets, don’t you Alex?” The man shook his head, ready to shoot again.
“Stop! Just stop!” Alex screamed, gripping onto Cash. He looked down at him, pulling at him, “I’m so sorry.” Alex cried, looking into Cash’s eyes. He looked up at the man again, “Just let everyone go…I promise you I’ll do whatever you ask. Don’t hurt anyone else!” Alex pleaded. The man hesitated, eyes on Alex only. Alex didn’t take his eyes off of him, but turned his head slightly toward where the teachers and children stood.
“They have five seconds.” He mumbled.
“Go…” Alex said quietly. “GO!” Alex screamed when they didn’t move. The children and teachers rushed out the door on the demand. In seconds the room was empty of them- only him, Cash and the secret service remained.
“You alright?” Alex finally looked down at Cash. Cash swallowed, holding his arm. He nodded up at Alex, who held him.
“Yeah.” He managed, strained. Alex nodded, and patted his hands on him where they laid.
“Get up Diaz and come here.” The man said, demanding him over to him. Cash nodded, giving Alex a knowing look. Alex stood slowly, and ventured over to the man. As Alex drew closer, he realized who the man really was. He’d seen him a couple times during the last campaign...he was someone definitely working with Richards, that’s for sure.
“You’re from the campaign.” Alex started.
“No shit.” He sneered.
“What do you want with me? ...is this some kind of homophobic hate crime?” Alex asked.
“You’re a little shit, and you deserve to suffer.”
“I don’t think I do actually. No one does…we are passed this.” Alex shook his head. “I think we can sit and talk about this further…put the weapon down, it’s only fair since I’m not armed.” Alex suggested.
“Oh, you’re armed alright.” He shook his head, motioning to all the agents who hadn’t let off since they drew their weapons. Alex wasn’t sure what was happening to him- but shock may be the answer. He turned off the fear crippling him, and gained some sort of courage to keep talking.
“They will put their weapons down if you lower yours.” Alex said. The man refused.
“I came for one thing, and it would be an honor to go through with it, knowing the world will be a better place without you in it.” The man said, reaching into his shirt flaps. Alex’s eyes grew wide his hands flew up.
“Don’t!” He yelled. “Please- you don’t want to do this.” Alex shook his head swiftly.
“There is no place to go after this kid. I knew what I came here for. I knew it since the day I decided what had to be done.”
“Why can’t you explain to me why? What does my life have to do with you? We’re all humans…people with lives-”
“You know exactly what you did! I lost my job because of you- we lost the campaign because of you! What life? You took all of ours!”
“Richards was never going to win!” Alex shot back. Cash groaned, signaling Alex to shut the fuck up.
“Oh, yes we were! Until you ruined it!” The man yelled. Alex wishes he knew the man’s name. He dared to ask it- but he was certain it wouldn’t matter beyond this point.
“I’m sorry, but Richards didn’t have to leak the emails- he made himself look bad. Don’t pin this on me or anyone else for his demise. He did that all on his own!” Alex answered, pointing to himself. The man was growing more agitated. He hollered something unintelligible and pointed his gun with more authority at Alex. Alex breathed in through his nose, and held up his hands at him.
“Okay…okay.” He started. He noticed his ring again, and felt the pang in his chest when the thought of Henry crossed his mind again.
“I had one goal today…that was to get you alone-”
Alex’s phone began to vibrate again. Alex rolled his lips in, clenching his eyes shut.
“Answer it.” He barked. Alex gulped, and retrieved is phone slowly. HRH Prince Dickhead *poop emoji*. He wishes he had changed it. “Answer it!” He screamed, and Alex realized he almost missed the call.
“H-hello?” Alex spoke.
“Alex? Darling! I’ve been trying to ring you- are you alright? I’m watching the news. There is an intruder at the White House?! Where are you, are you safe?” He asked, not waiting a second for Alex to speak. Alex wanted to assure him he was fine- he wanted to tell him not to worry his pretty little blonde head, that he’d be home tonight, curled up on the couch- waiting for him…but he couldn’t.
“Henry…Henry, listen to me…I love you, Henry…”
“Give me the phone!” The man demanded.
“Alex- Alex why do you…is he with you? Alex?” Henry was beside himself, and Alex wanted to comfort him-tell him it would be alright.
Alex blinked a few tears away, “Henry I-”
“Give it to me!” The man yelled again; free hand out stretched. Alex bit his quivering lip; he handed the phone to him.
“Your Royal Highness, I hope everything was worth it to you…I think you and Alex need a reminder that this isn’t a fairytale- it never fucking was.” He spoke sternly, handing the phone back to Alex.
“Listen here you little-” Henry had started.
Alex took the phone hastily into his hands, getting it to his ear as fast as he could, “Hen-Henry it’s me again. Baby listen to me I lo-” Alex gasped, jolting back but not falling. The sound of a shot being fired stunning him more than the burning sensation rushing through him like wildfire- he hadn’t noticed until he did. Until his shirt felt wet, and clung to him. He looked down at his chest, one hand gripping his phone and the other coming up to clutch the wound.
“ALEX! WAS THAT GUN FIRE?” He could hear through the phone- his panicked love. He felt winded, and his chest ached. He couldn’t tell if he had taken the bullet high or low, but he knew it was in him somehow. His chest felt tight, and he tried to find it. He dropped his phone, full panic setting in. He was shot. The first son of the United States President- shot. Alex Claremont-Diaz…shot.
Noises erupted out pf Alex, “Ah, ahhh-” he cried out, involuntarily dropping to his knees as he legs gave out. He ripped open his shirt and there was the wound- his key snapped in half, his chest bleeding below it. Somehow, he was alive. He was alive. He could breathe, and his heart was beating- he’s alive- but bleeding enough that he needed help and his chest still burned something fierce. Alex started to laugh, choking, but laughed. The last thing he sees before everything goes black is the mans’ face. The man reached into his shirt, something like a deafening silence bursts through the room, and an explosion takes out the man…takes over the room.
Henry clutched the phone to his ear. Beatrice sitting beside him, hand on his leg. They were all planted in front of the TV. When the news broke that there was an intruder in the White House. Just about every news station was covering it. They were in a meeting with the Queen when it happened. Shaan found out first from Zahra, and he rushed to alert Henry.
Alex’s voice over the phone seemed strained, “Henry…Henry, listen to me…I love you, Henry…”
He heard the voice of someone yelling, “Give me the phone!”
Henry frowned, inching to the edge of his seat, eyes darting to the TV, “Alex- Alex why do you…is he with you? Alex?” Henry tried- he spoke louder, trying to ask everything at once but only getting part of it out.
Alex spoke again, “Henry I-” Getting interrupted by the voice, “Give it to me!” The man yelled again. There was a shuffling over the phone, and Henry quickly put it on speaker for others to hear in the room. He looked to all of them.
The man spoke, “Your Royal Highness, I hope everything was worth it to you…I think you and Alex need a reminder that this isn’t a fairytale- it never fucking was.” The shuffling happening again.
Henry stood angrily, staring at his phone, “Listen here you little-” He started. Beatrice jumped up, placing a hand to his shoulder.
Henry’s heart skipped a beat when Alex’s voice came over the phone again, “Hen-Henry it’s me again. Baby listen to me, I lo-” A loud pop was heard over the receiver, and every muscle in Henry’s body tensed. His expression fell, the blood draining from his face. He blinked once…maybe twice and then realized what he heard. Beatrice gasped, hands covering her nose and mouth as she stared at Henry’s hands.
He opened his mouth quickly, staring at the phone, “ALEX! WAS THAT GUN FIRE?” He screamed. “ALEX ANSWER ME DAMN YOU!” Henry yelled. Alex didn’t answer him, instead he heard a thud through the phone like the many times Alex has dropped his phone on accident, and then it was quiet.
“Alex…” Henry couldn’t raise his voice any higher. His heart shattered when he heard the cries of Alex through the phone- distant and none of them words- just his cries.
All that came through the phone was, “Ah, ahhh-” as he cried out. Henry shook his head, trying to find the words, but he stopped when Alex’s cries turned to laughter, but he started to cough, and it got worse.
“Alex, pick up the bloody phone!” Phillip yelled, clutching his brother’s shoulder.
All of them snapped their heads toward the TV when it happened, sans Henry who couldn’t move. They watched the live coverage in real time as they heard it first hand through the phone.
“Just now- live footage of an explosion from the Oval Office where they believe the First Son of The United State’s President had been waiting out orders to evacuate. Only moments ago, we saw the St. Andrew’s fourth grade class hurriedly evacuating the building, but the First Son and the Secret Service nowhere in sight.” The news broadcasted.
His family had to physically sit Henry down, take the phone from his trembling hands and yell to him to snap out of it. Henry was petrified…frozen where he sat- unable to comprehend the magnitude of what just happened. When there was no getting through to him…it hit them as well…Alex could be dead.