Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 09:32:50 +0100
From: davidspowart3 <davidspowart3@hotmail.com>
Subject: To serve my Country chapter 19

O.K., the usual warnings apply: This story contains sex between males of
consenting age, and if your state or country does not allow such material
to be read, or you are offended by male-on-male sex and you are under the
age of 18, please leave this story now. And just a short word on this
story, this is a story of pure fiction and should be read as such. E-mails
regarding the fact that the Republicans would never have a gay candidate
and the dates of elections being wrong are not required as stated this is
an erotic fictional tale. ENJOY.

This story in whole are in part may not be duplicated without the
permission of the author and is subject to copyright ©2013 David Spowart
all rights reserved

Written by

David Spowart

Edited by

J Matlock

"To serve my Country"

Chapter 19


Despite being totally exhausted, I struggled to sleep.  Danny lay against
my chest, lightly snoring, his breath tickling my sides.  I had only gotten
around 3 hours sleep when my alarm woke me, just after six.

"Hey" I said, as Danny lifted his head to look at me.

"You smell good" he said with a smile.

"Can't say the same for your breath" I laughed, and kissed his forehead.

"Sorry" he replied, covering his mouth a little.

"Tucker should be downstairs by now" I said, as we climbed out of our bed
and headed to the shower.  We washed each other making out a little.  I
loved this man.

"What's the plan for today?" Danny asked.

"America: First, second and always" I responded.

"Correct Answer for a politician" he kissed me softly.

Eventually, we made it downstairs.  My cook had prepared a sensible
breakfast.  When I say my cook, it was my folks who sent her over for a
week.  I appreciated it very much, as she was amazing.

"How's Brian?" I asked Tucker, who I had asked to sit with us.

"Overexcited" he replied.

"Yeah, I have seen him" I snicker a little.

"He worships you, you know" I say, looking at Tucker.

"He's a great kid; he brought his boyfriend, Tom, to meet us" he added.

"And?" I added, myself.

"Senator" he started.

"Bryce, please" I interrupted.

"Sorry, Bryce, you, of all people, know how it is for a gay kid.  He's
opening himself up to so much hate and hurt" he replied.

"Tucker, from what I have seen of your son, he is an amazing human being,
and you have taught him well.  You should be proud of that fact.  He can
handle and take care of himself.  His confidence, at his age, I would have
killed for it" I replied.

"Yeah, he inspires me, sometimes" he adds.

My cell phone interrupted our conversation.

"Yeah"

"Bryce, the overnight numbers have come in" Sarah said, as she was,
apparently, already in the office.

"Hit me" I said.

"Down 5: we picked up 6" she replied.

"Okay, lets hit the airwaves.  Saturate the stations, Sarah; hit everywhere
at once, shock and awe" I said, as my blood began to pump faster.

"Tucker, have my car brought around, will you?" I instruct, and he stood up
and walked out of the room.

"Do you need me?" Danny asked.

I leaned over and pulled his face to mine, kissing him softly. "More than
you will ever know.  Come on, move your ass" I said, and he did as told.

...



7:32am

"The post is already calling it for Branigan" Sarah said, as we started our
morning briefing.  Danny was in the war room, making calls and spreading
the word.

The promos hit the airwaves on radio, TV, and on social media.  We couldn't
have more advertising if we tried.  The polling stations opened in twenty
eight minutes; and, yeah, my heart was gaining an extra beat.

"Branigan will have the same information we have.  We know the states that
are behind you, and the ones stupidly behind him; it's the swing states of
the south that are key" Todd one of my advisers stated.

"How many people do we have working on those states?" I asked, drinking my
very much needed coffee.

"Just over 1100... in each" he replied.

"Phew... We will need every last one of them" I replied.

"Bryce, Branigan's promo is coming up" Dan said, poking his head through
the door.

"Turn it on, please" I said, and the screen lit up.

"Do you want a man that sticks by his family values?" the voice over said.
The American flag fluttered in the breeze above his home, his family sat on
the porch. "Do you want a real man backing you up when things get tough?"
the voice over continued, the scenes of the stock-market dropping
low. "Vote for morality and the American way.  Vote for the star spangled
banner, that real men have died to defend.  Vote for America - Vote
Branigan as your next President".  Branigan, with the Flag in the
background, fluttering in the breeze, and fades out.



"What the fuck is this real man shit?" I'm now really pissed off.

"Sarah, I want a film crew here pronto.  My next promo will be in
retaliation" I said, pissed off at this guy's bigotry.

 "I need to make a call.  Will you all leave me, please?" I said, as I was
going to use the one tactic I was hoping to avoid.

I opened up my electronic organizer at the numbers I needed.  I made the
calls, and was happy at the response I received.

10:47am

"Bryce, there are two guys in uniform here to see you; oh, and the crew is
here" Sarah added, and the office looked at the two Marines that entered my
office and shook my hand.

"Guys, thanks for this.  You saw the promo from Branigan, this morning.  I
am hoping you two can defuse his little shit kicking" I said.

"Bryce, man, anything for you, bro" Lance Lomas replied.

I wrote out what my message was, and asked an old friend to be the voice of
this message.  The Mayor of New York offered help if I needed; and now, I
needed.

After an hour and a half, the promo was done and would start airing at
12:35, and every hour afterwards.  I hadn't seen the end product before it
aired; as it was urgent we get the damn thing done.

We sat in the conference room and waited for my promo to air.

It started with the American flag flying over a battlefield, bombs bursting
overhead.  "Put a real man in the White House.  Senator Bryce Noda is that
real man.  If you are not convinced, ask the people with whom he served"
The Mayor of New York started.

"I would not be here today if it was not for the selfless actions of my
Lieutenant, Bryce Noda.  I was being shot at, and had already been hit when
he came to get me.  My unit had already left, but he came back for me.  He
saved my life.  If you need someone to have your back, for me, there is
only one choice" Sgt Lomas ended.

"And Son, what is your name?" The Mayor asked Billy Donnelly.

"Major William Donnelly, sir" he replied.

"Go on, how do you know Bryce?" he asked.

"Like the Sarge here, he saved my life.  As you can see, I have a
prosthetic leg.  I lost my leg in Afghanistan, and was left for dead.  The
next thing I was aware of, I was in M.A.S.H unit.  I was told that
Lieutenant Noda came under fire and was hit, but he still carried me out.
I'm here, man, alive, and proud to have served with the guy" he ended.

"So, America, the real man In this race is Bryce Noda.  He has served, with
distinction, for many years.  Give the guy a chance to prove he was right.
I trust him, and these guys trust him.  He has our votes, give him yours.
Vote, America, vote for Bryce Noda" The Mayor ended.

"Brilliant, my boy" Mike patted me on the back.  The Mayor had left to see
some people on the hill, and I was grateful for his help.

"Run it all day, Sarah.  Run the other, as well.  Saturation time.  Shock
and awe... Shock and awe" I repeated.

2:44pm

"I feel like I have been at this for 24hrs" I say To Danny, as we took a
break.  I was in my private office, and sat on a sofa, eating a Subway
sandwich.

"Could be another full day yet, Bryce" he replied.

"Fuck, I hope not" my over educated brain responded from the gutter.  Shit,
my Marine was showing.

The news networks were refusing to call it.  They had, this morning, stated
that it would be hard for me to win; but, now, they are refusing to
discount me.

5:57pm

"What do the exit polls say, Dan?" I ask at the late afternoon get
together.

"Depends on who you ask.  Mori has you two points down, and Gallup have you
level.  CNN has you at one ahead" he replied.

"So, as they say, Dan, too close to call" I reply, and he just nodded.  At
least I have a chance.  It just depends on how willing the American public
is about electing a gay candidate.

The promos ran all day; my positive ones and his negative ones.  Who was
America listening to, whose message was getting though.  I promised
recovery, he promised doubt.  There was an enemy, and he wanted to find it.
But, who was the enemy?  He was blinding the public with rhetoric and some
were falling for it. "Vote for the star spangled banner; not the rainbow
flag of immorality".  The ass.

7pm

I was now getting nervous.  The exit polls still stating a too close to
call race.  Branigan was still spouting his bullshit; and, still, I had no
idea if it was working for him or for me.

"What do our polls say?" I asked my team, as we sat in my conference room.
Nothing else to do now, but wait.  My folks were heading to my hotel at
11pm, and the result we hoped would be at least guessed upon by midnight.

"Same as the others, Bryce" Dan responded.

"I wish I drank, I could kill a drink right about now" I said, as Danny
handed me a root beer.  "Thanks" I replied.  We still kept a small distance
from each other.  What goes on between four walls and a desk was nobody's
business but ours.

Mike had now joined us, and he had no hesitation in pouring himself a very
large scotch on the rocks; hold the rocks.  "Nothing to do now, my boy" he
said, as he lit up a cigar.  "Mike, please, balcony" I said, and he smiled
and opened the balcony door.

We never saw the shot, but Mike falling and hitting the carpet was
frightening. The blood coming from his temple was serious.  The room, for
me, went into slow motion.  Tucker and Brown came in, yelling, as we all
dropped to the floor.  Another bullet hit the far mirror and shattered it.
The door to the balcony was hit on several occasions.  I looked at Mike and
crawled over to him.  He was still breathing, but only just.

Tucker was yelling over his radio, and the shooter's flash of his rifle had
been spotted from three buildings away.  Tucker ordered all agents to the
location of that building, and shots were being fired at that window.

About four minutes later and it was quiet.  The injury to Mike Longo was
fatal.  He died in my arms. he was looking at me unable to talk. His eyes
just closed and his breathing stopped. "Sorry Mike, I truly am sorry" I
said, as I cried over my fallen friend.  He would have been a great VP.

11:01pm...

Mike's body was taken away, and the killing was now the main story on all
of the news networks.  For once, the Presidential race was secondary to the
murder of Senator Mike Longo Republican veteran. They outlined his journey
through life and I cried as it was apparent he had like myself served this
country for all of his adult life.

The shooter had been shot and killed while trying to escape, his
allegiances to whoever would be discovered in the coming days. I didn't
care.  I had lost a friend and a worthwhile colleague.

My office was now full of police and FBI.  My staff was answering
questions. Tucker was sitting at my desk, just looking at me.

"Bryce, you okay?" he asked.

"Why wasn't the building secured, Tucker" I demanded with my head in my
hands looking at the floor.

"It's residential; it has its own security.  We checked this afternoon and
it was clear.  We checked the apartment and the occupant was dead, she had
been strangled.  The security guard said the guy had been dating her for
about four weeks.  She was set up, Bryce" he replied.

I looked up and Danny was standing in the doorway, a look of concern all
over his face.  Tucker stood up and left the room; Danny took his place.

"That could have been you" he said, and I just shook my head.

"I never go on that balcony; heights, remember?" I replied, "I told him to
open the door, his damn smoking" I added.

"Have you spoken to his wife yet" Danny asked. "She's at the hospital, she
had a meeting on the hill tonight" I added.

11:46pm.

I was still talking to Danny when Sarah knocked on the door.

"Bryce, Branigan's office on line one" she said, and I took a deep breath.
"Probably passing on his condolences" I said, and Danny nodded.

"Noda" I started.

"Hold for Senator Branigan please" a female voice said and the phone
clicked.

"Senator, I am sorry to hear of the attack and death of Mike Longo.  I am
shocked at what has happened.  Allegiances aside, I am so sorry for your
loss" he said, and I was wondering if that statement had a double meaning.

"Are your staff okay" he asked

"Well as can be expected Senator, a bit shaken up... you understand" I
replied

"Yes, sir I can understand, I am pleased you are okay Senator Noda" he
added

"Thank you, Senator, I appreciate it; and I will pass your condolences on
to Mike's family" I replied.

"Thank you.  I would appreciate that" he replied.

"And, secondly, it is with great humility that I congratulate you on your
win tonight" he said, and my jaw dropped.  Had I heard him right? But soon,
I heard a loud cheer coming from the office area.

"Thank you, Senator.  I appreciate your calling.  I wish you and your
family well, and I promise you, the Country is in safe hands" I said, and
put the phone down.  I was in total shock, Danny was staring at me a little
confused, the cheer from the other room and the look on my face. I slumped
back into my chair and rubbed my face with both hands.

"Bryce" he asked, I looked up at him, concern still etched in his face,

"I better get the Executive desk re-enforced and a lube dispenser" I
replied with a smirk that left nothing to Danny's imagination.

Danny looked at me, and then the office, through the window.  He looked
again at me, and I smiled. It was a hard smile, as I had just lost my Vice
President.

"We won...WE WON" I yelled at Danny, and fuck the public displays of
affection; he jumped up and grabbed me, and kissed me with more passion
than anyone could imagine possible.

The door opened, and Sarah, smiling from ear to ear, grabbed me and hugged
me tight, and had tears falling, as hard as mine.  "Ready for Chief of
staff, Sarah?" I asked, and she cried a little harder, and nodded.

"Yes, Mr. President elect" she said, leaving the room as my parents
arrived, not yet knowing the result.  They just knew that someone had again
tried to kill me.  The celebration was in an adjoining room, and the door,
now closed to give Danny and me some privacy; but, well, my folks....

"Oh Bryce, are you okay?  We heard about Mike... He's dead?" Mom asked.
"Yeah, Mom, he died in my arms." My blood stained jacket was hanging over
my chair.

"Hello Danny, it's good to see you, again just wish had been under better
circumstances" my dad said, a little forced.

"Mom, Dad... the exit poll results have been announced, but" I said,
straight faced.

"Senator Branigan just got off the phone after congratulating me on my win
and to offer his condolences for Mike. I won Mom, Dad" and the joy that
appeared on my folks faces; if I could bottle that look and put it away, I
would die a happy man.

My dad walked over and just shook my hand.  To hell with that, I grabbed
him and hugged him tight. He was a little stiff, at first; but soon relaxed
and pulled me in tight.  He whispered into my ear, "Bryce, I have never
been more proud.  If anyone was going to break down the walls of prejudice
and bigotry, it would be you" he said, and let go so my Mom could hug me.

She didn't say anything, just cried into my shoulder.  "Mom, I'm fine; look
at me, please" I said, and she looked up at me.  "I know, Bryce, you are
the strongest person I know.  It's just, I didn't think they would see what
we do" she said, honestly.

I hugged her tighter than I ever had, despite her having hired a private
detective, and having me photographed, which almost derailed my campaign.
I knew she loved me; and, I couldn't help it, I knew I loved my folks.

"Bryce" Tucker said, popping his head in.

"Car's here" he said.

"Where are you going?" Dad asked.

"I need to see Mike's wife, she's a senator, too; has been for almost
twenty years.  That is how she and Mike sort of hooked up" I smiled at the
thought of them, and can relate to that very meeting.

"Yes, I know her; she's a very strong willed woman" Mom added.

"Yeah, mom, we have met" I say back, and kiss her, and shake dad's hand.  I
told Danny I would see him later on, and left with Tucker.

We climbed into the car and I soon realized I had more agents than before.
Oh yeah, I won, I snicker to myself.

"Do we know where she is?" I asked.

"She's just been taken home by her daughter" Tucker replied.

"Tucker ,tomorrow I will need to talk to you about something, okay?  Also,
when we are alone, you can call me Bryce; but, when I am not alone, please
address me accordingly" I add, as his familiarity could cause him some
grief, along the line.

"Yes sir" he replied, and I smiled, as did he.

We soon pulled up outside the Longo's brownstone, and I was flanked by,
Christ, I had no idea how many agents.  The door was already open.

"Bryce, I'm glad you are okay" Mrs. Longo said, and I could clearly see she
had been crying. I mean yeah dumb ass her husband has been killed. I
berated myself silently.

"He loved you for your commitment and your drive.  You reminded him of
himself, at your age; and congratulations on winning, Bryce.  He would have
loved that" she added and re-took her seat.

"I am going to miss him" I said.

"As will I" she smiled, but forced, she looked at his portrait over the
mantle and sighed a little to herself as her daughter sat close by.

"Look, Margaret, I know this is a little soon, but how do you feel about
taking his place?" I ask, and she looked a little stunned.

"What do you mean, take his place?" she asked, and I could see she didn't
get what I had indicated.

"Be my Vice President" I reply.

She placed her hand on her chest and looked at her daughter, then looked
back to me.  "Mike would have loved it, if he knew you would inherit his
position.  He earned it, Margaret" I added.

"Bryce, there are more qualified people out there than me, and more
experienced" she said, still shocked at my question.

"Margaret, did Mike ever tell you of our long conversations, late into the
night?" I asked, and she smiled and nodded.

"Mike had so much admiration for your politics, and your shared love of
this Country.  For me, it would be like still having Mike as Vice
President; as you have the same passion and drive as he did.  I am not
asking as an apology for the loss of my friend, and your husband, but as a
straight forward substitute; and you were always his.  Now what do you
say?" I ask again.

She looked again for an answer from her daughter, but received a blank
stare.  She looked at the picture of her husband, and then looked at me.

"Bryce, in memory of my husband, and all that he stood for, it would be my
honor" she replied, and I stood, hugged her, and kissed her cheek.

"Good!  I will announce it to the party, tomorrow" I said, and bid my
goodbyes.  I saluted the photo of Mike that hung over the fireplace.  "I'll
miss you, old friend" I said out loud.

I left the Longo home flanked by what I could only describe as an army of
agents. I climbed back into the car and just reflected on the whole
day. Mike's death and my ... Our victory and a strange thought crossed my
mind... That ass of a lame duck president would have to talk to me now...


To be continued... Transition team


Hope you liked the outcome of this story, and now the final instalment to
come, Transition... Comments as usual davidspowart3@hotmail.com or Tweet
@DavidSpowart.

David