Codename: Kryptonite

Chapter One

August 22, 2003

He sat staring at the computer screen in front of him. Who in the hell sent this? The email address was completely foreign to him, and yet whoever sent this seemed to be very knowledgeable about him.

From: Kryptonite@gmail.com
To: papabear@bjm.com

Sir, Before I give you any information, I have been told that I will first need to get your undivided attention. I have been advised that the best way to begin that process is to give you the following information:

1) This morning over a breakfast of Fruity Peebles and orange juice, your wife told you that she wanted a divorce. This really didn't surprise you, because you've been wanting the same thing, but you were holding on for the kids. You told her that you would call your attorney and get the ball rolling. By New Jersey state law, you must be living apart for 18 months before filing. However, you told the attorney a lie. You assured him that you had been living in the New York apartment for at least that long already, if you included the time spent on the road with your tour. When in fact, you've just been sleeping on the couch in The Shoe Inn. That is... WHEN you sleep.

2) In approximately two hours, Richie is supposed to get on an airplane. Call him. Tell him you need him to stay in town. You'll need him tomorrow.

3) To avoid "the most embarrassing moment" of your life and being hung with the nickname 'Peep Show', tonight, before going into dinner with former Vice President Gore...Check your fly.

Now, I was assured that after having given you all of this information, that I will still not have your undivided attention, but that I will at least have peaked your curiosity. I hope my informant was as knowledgeable about you as he thinks, and that you will at least pick up that cell that is even now laying by your left hand, and call Rich.

Then, tonight, when I have your undivided attention, call this number 202-555-2035. Because, Mr. Bongiovi, your life is in danger.

Kryptonite

He looked over at his cell phone, laying just inches from his left hand. How the fuck had this person known this information? Suspiciously, he glanced around his office, then stood up to stride across the room and look out the window. Was he being watched?

Not even Richie knew about Dot's breakfast announcement. He was going to tell him tomorrow. By phone. Once he was back in LA.

As he dialed Richie's cell, he was quickly trying to come up with an excuse to get his friend to stay in New York.

"Hey Kidd," Richie answered, "I'm on my way to the airport. What's up?"

"I need you to change your flight. I think I'm gonna need ya tomorrow."

Richie could hear the confusion and indecision in Jon's voice. "Is everything okay, man?"

"No, Rich." That's when inspiration struck, now was as good a time as any. "Dot told me she wants a divorce."

"Ah, fuck, man. I'm sorry." Richie tried to sound sympathetic, but he'd seen the signs. Jon hadn't been happy, but had been trying to keep it under wraps. Richie had suspected this was coming several weeks ago. "I'll call and change flights, bro. Call me later."

"Sure, Rich. Thanks."

His voice was toneless and unemotional, even he heard it. Maybe, he was shell shocked. Maybe, that horseshoe in his ass had finally rusted, and his luck had finally run out. And maybe, just maybe, his life really was in danger.

August 20, 2029
0200 Tango

"Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?" he asked her for the thousandth time.

"Yes sir, Mr. President. I'm not willing to ask one of my men to do something I'm not willing to do myself."

She looked so confident. Her long light brown hair was pulled back into a serviceable pony tail, that hung in waves down her back She'd worn comfortable denim jeans that looked vintage and a body hugging light green t-shirt that had her looking like she'd just stepped out of 2003. There were white high top Converse sneakers with lime green laces on her feet. She was the same age as his daughter, and he had no desire to send her on this mission.

Two days ago, they'd received intel that there was going to be an attempt on his life. When a combined force of Secret Service and FBI agents raided the hide-out of the suspected assassin, they'd found what could only be a time machine and a mad scientist right out of a comic strip. They'd went over every inch of that lab with a fine tooth comb. It had been determined that someone had managed to go back in time about twenty-six years, give or take a few months. Dr. Crazy had repeatedly told them that it was too late, that the plan was already in motion.

The President still wasn't sure if this was a good idea. All the information they'd been able to gather in the last 48 hours indicated this would be a one way trip. He couldn't in good conscience send her on what would amount to a suicide mission.

"Kryptonite, you know you can't come home. Are you sure?"

"Sir, I have no family. No children, no husband. No one is waiting for me to come home. Damn, even my dog died last month. I can do this. I have all the intel I need."

He looked around at the faces gathered around the two of them. They were all members of his security team, and had all wanted to be here to say goodbye to her. He grasped the upper part of her arm, and gently but firmly pulled her several steps away from the group.

"Gabbs, I'm not happy about this," his voice was rough and gravelly with emotion. He was quite fond of her.

She smiled up at him, her pale green/gray eyes twinkled. "Honest, I'll be fine, President Bongiovi."

She repeated those words again, before she stepped into the large metal ball. Quickly, a few members of his security team lead him out of the room. He had argued long and hard to be able to be there to send her off. They had agreed only if he caved and agreed that he would leave the premises for safety's sake before they actually activated the unproven technology.

As soon as the radio crackled that POTUS was 'safely away', their tech guy was given the signal. The engines seemed to shift into a higher speed, their whine filling the room until a loud boom bounced off the walls and literally knocked them all to the floor with the force of the wave.

Steam rose from the metal sphere as several of the men ran toward it. When they opened the little hatch type door and checked inside, she was gone.