Radclyffe: Love & Honor

*****

As the afternoon dragged by, Blair tried to occupy her mind with work. Usually, once she began applying paint to canvas, her focus was so intense that everything else would disappear from her consciousness. Unfortunately, it wasnt working this time. Frustrated, she set her palette and brushes aside and pushed both hands through her hair, glancing at the clock for the fifth time in as many minutes.

As she crossed the loft with the intent of calling the command center to ask Cam for an update, a knock sounded on her door. She detoured in that direction and sighed with relief when she saw her lovers face through the peephole.

"God, Ive been going crazy up here", she said as soon as she had the door open. She grasped Cams hand and pulled her inside, then kissed her swiftly on the mouth. "Tell me youve got something."

Cam shook her head, shedding her jacket to the back of a nearby chair and shrugging out of her shoulder holster. "Not yet, but Davis is hopeful that it wont be too long. Ive got to believe well turn up something soon."

We have to, because the clock is ticking faster than I thought.

"Maybe this reallywill be over soon", Blair said wearily. "At least we havent gotten any more envelopes with surveillance photographs of us inside."

"No, and I dont think we will either", Cam said, moving to the sofa and leaning back with a sigh as she relaxed into the cushions. Shed been hunched over a computer in the command center for hours.

"Why not?" Blair asked as she joined her.

"Because I think our theory that these came from a friendly source is correct", Cam said as she took Blairs hand, intertwining their fingers and resting them on her thigh. "I think they were meant to warn usor at leastyou -of the scope of the investigation and perhaps to give a hint of the intent. The first photograph was of you and I together, letting you know that our relationship wasnt a secret. But it wasnt as damaging as it might have been, because it wasnt clear that you were with a woman, and I wasnt identifiable. Plus, theres been no follow-up to that. A reporter wouldnt be likely to sit on that kind of juicy tidbit for long."

"I agree", Blair mused. "In fact this reporter in Chicago, Eric Mitchell, is probably dying for a follow-up. Obviously he hasnt gotten anything further or he would have run with it."

"Exactly". Cam rubbed her thumb over the top of Blair's hand as she spoke. "Then we have a photograph of me in a bar with a woman in a compromising position. As a result, we know that theres an active covert investigation of me.And it points to the kind of surveillance that only professionals can carry outa link to the Bureau or Justice."

"And finally", Blair said emphatically, "theres a picture of the woman youd been having a clandestine affair with."

"Hardly an affair," Cam objected hastily.

Blair raised an eyebrow. "Cameron, lets not split hairs."

"Point taken."

"Regardless of what you call it, Blair continued unperturbed, "the third photograph warned us that the escort service was under investigation, suggesting that the operation extended to personal lives possibly not just yours, but other influential people as well."

"Including the president", Cam added. "Id say that someone managed to draw us a pretty clear picture of what was going on without actually naming namesor risking exposure themselves."

"I suppose", Blair said softly, "they might have thought it would scare me enough to stop seeing you."

"Thereby giving you credible distance and keeping you clear of any scandal". Cams stomach tightened. "Everything points to a DC insider."

"RightDeep Throat," Blair said with a sigh. "I suppose it would seem like a favor to anyone who doesnt know how serious I am about you already."

"Does anyone know?"

Blair shook her head. "Only Diane. And your mother."

Cam stared at her for a second, then grinned for the first time in what felt like days. "I think we can rule them out. What about your friendsyour contacts? You seem to have a pretty well-positioned circle of insiders at that White House and other handy places."

"Believe me, Ive thought of that. I can think of one or two who might stumble onto something like this, but I cant imagine why they wouldnt just pick up the phone and call me."

Cam sighed. "I agree that makes no sense."

Blair drew her legs up under her and curled up against Cams side, threading her free arm around her waist. "Well, Im grateful to whoever did it, but theres nothing that could keep me away from you."

Yes, there is.

When Cam didnt reply, Blair sat up and regarded her with concern. "Cam? What is it?"

"As of 09:00 tomorrow morning, Ill no longer be your security chief. Mac will be interi-"

"No", Blair cried, getting hastily to her feet, her eyes slightly wild. "No. Thats not how this is going to go. No."

Startled, Cam stood, reaching for her hands. "Blair -"

"Dont", Blair said sharply, stepping back, avoiding Cams touch. "I know what will happen. Theyll replace you, and Ill never see you again."

"No, thats not true," Cam exclaimed, stepping slowly toward her lover.

Blair looked like she was ready to bolt. Cam couldnt remember ever seeing her so frantic, even when Loverboy had been stalking her. This wasnt just about them; this was something else, an old terror of loss and abandonment come back to haunt her. Heart aching, Cam said again softly, "I wont disappear. I promised I wouldnt."

Blairs eyes stung, and a cold hard fear blossomed in her chest. "What if you cant help it."

"Ican help it", Cam said with certainty. "Even if Imnot on your detail, Ill still see you. No ones going to stop mestopus ."

"What if" Blair blinked as Cams arms came around her, and she shuddered as she let herself be held. Cam was warm, her body solid, her hands tender. The past slipped away and the world righted itself. She took a deep breath. "Sorry. I panicked. I"

"Its okay". Cam kissed her, and briefly, they found strength in the certainty of their love.

When Blair eased out of the embrace, her eyes were hot, but this time with fury. "God damn it, Cameron-Im not letting this happen to you; Im not letting someone tear us apart; Im not letting Capitol Hill run my life any longer. She started across the loft toward her sleeping alcove."

"What are you doing?"

"Im going to Washington."

"We dont know enough -"

"Then Ill find out", Blair seethed.

Cam swore as her cell phone rang. Snatching it off her belt, she snapped, "Roberts."

Her face grew still, her eyes fiercely intent as she listened. "Come upstairs, and bring what you have."

As she closed the phone, she met Blairs questioning gaze. "Stark says they have something."

Chapter Thirty-Three

"Okay, let's hear it," Cam said, looking from Stark to Savard. Both of them were unusually subdued, and she had a distinct sensation that Stark was trying not fidget. "Agent Stark?"

"We've been running everyone we could think of who had any connection to you, Commander, past or present, testing the theory that the exposure of your involvement with the...escort service might be a payback of some kind." Stark took a breath, seemed to be gathering herself. "You know, a grudge kind of thing-someone passed over for promotion, someone who resents a woman heading the security team, someone who might be jealous of-"

"I think we all follow your reasoning, Stark," Cam said dryly.

"Right. Well, naturally, we dug deeper on a few people and-"

"Spit it out," Cam said brusquely. Her nerves were starting to fray, and she was working hard not to show it. Despite what she'd told Blair earlier, she knew that once a formal investigation was launched into her actions in the Loverboy operation, she wouldn't be able to see Blair. At least not until she was cleared-ifshe was cleared. The thought of being separated from Blair made her ache and knowing that Blair would feel deserted tore at her. "We don't have time for the long version."