[b]Day 1: September 12, 2024
The Capital Building
Washington D.C.[/b]


[b]Kendall Thomas[/b] had spent almost two hours searching the building and the grounds just beyond it for his [i]primary[/i]. Speaker Timms had always hated having Secret Service protection. He understood that, of course. After all, who wanted a handful of men and/or women following you around all day, every day. Well, maybe rock stars with their entourages or high school hotties with their BFFs. But a junior Congresswoman who'd shot to stardom by becoming Speaker of the House faster than any other Member of the House in history...? 

Capitol Police, D.C. Police, and remnants of a locally stationed National Guard unit were guarding the Capitol. There wasn't a great deal of mayhem on the grounds. That surprised Kendall. He'd been on the grounds during the January 6th insurrection. As soon as the lights went out today, he expected the same again. But D.C.'s troubles today were out in the city. That was bad news for the people of D.C., obviously. But Kendall's concerns were for his [i]charge[/i], and finding and protecting her was the only thing on his mind.

Amazingly, after completing a circle around the building and preparing to head back inside, he looked up to find Caroline ambling his direction. She was injured, that was obvious. He hurried to her, thinking maybe she'd been attacked. He took her into his arms, asking what had happened and if she was injured. After just a few steps, the tall, strong Agent swept the smallish woman up into his arms.

"Let's get you to your office, Speaker," he told her as he made his way toward the building. Others helped the pair through doors, but Kendall managed to get Caroline all the way to her office without stopping. He was exhausted and sweating by the time he put her on a couch and fell into one of the adjacent armchairs. "I'm going to go find you a doctor. But, for a moment, I ... I just need a moment."