Executive Orders

CH 23 | Compromising Positions

"You look pretty deep in thought - and from the look on your face, they don't seem to be all that pretty." Jake offered her what she was sure he meant to be a charming grin. "Are you sure a little snack wouldn't help with that?" "I could bring you a plate and we can commiserate over egg rolls."

His eyes went to the wine bottle. "Or something stronger, if that's what you need."

Olivia found herself forcing a smile to her face and she deliberately ignored the self-invitation to a drink. "Thank you, but I'm still not that hungry right now. The truth is, it's been a long day and it's not even close to being over yet. My team and I still have a lot of work to do."

She half-hoped that Jake would take the hint and leave, but from his the look on his face, it was clear that she wasn't going to be that lucky.

Instead - again, uninvited - Jake made himself comfortable on her couch. "I couldn't help but notice you're taking an interest in the Caldwell clan, what with the pics on your rogues gallery wall and the appearance of the younger son and company. I could help you with that if you want."

"While I appreciate the offer, I don't think that's a good idea, Jake." Olivia said.

"Really?"

"Really." Olivia found herself pretty insistent about that. "I don't need you compromising your position."

Olivia watched as his expression shifted, going from confident to puzzled to something almost petulant even as a flash of irritation came and went in his eyes.

"Compromise?"

"Compromise." Olivia stated. With everything else that's on her mind, this conversation was becoming an uncomfortable one and one she didn't need right now. She reacted by standing up and beginning to pace as her mind started sorting her feelings out. Her gut didn't want him anywhere near this investigation and compromising their relationship with the White House is only one reason why.

"It's one thing for me and my people to ferret out dirty little secrets and decide what to do with them - that's what we're hired to do. It's a whole different scenario for an active naval intelligence officer - one who's been known to report directly to the president to do the same."

"It's not known -" Jake started to object.

Olivia didn't let him finish." - we know it, Jake - and if we know it, then there's no telling who else does - and that makes you compromised."

"And if I don't agree?" Jake asked. "Just hypothetically..."

"It doesn't matter." She told him as she stopped pacing and came to stand in front of him. "We deal in secrets - but this a secret that we don't need. Hypothetically...these are the kind of secret scandals like Watergate are made from - and we can't - and I won't - take the chance of compromising this administration in any way, shape or form - no matter how well meaning the circumstances might be."

Secrets, Olivia thought. Once again she was reminded how they can be lethal to relationships both personal and impersonal and her own words brought that home to her even as they left her lips.

As if to underscore her thoughts, Harrison's words played themselves inside her head. "This is some 'til death do us part ish."

As if the thought of him had called him, suddenly Harrison was there, knocking once before poking his head through the door. "Break time's just about up, Liv. You ready?"

"I'm good." Olivia said, grateful for the interruption. "I'll be out in a minute."

She gestured to Jake to precede her out the door, pretending not to see the disagreement and disappointment still lurking in his eyes.