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ladyofavalon77) wrote2007-04-15 11:40 pm
Five Reasons Why She Loves Him
(1). They are at a dinner party and Noah is working the crowd, shaking the right hands and breaking the ice with one of his many anecdotes. Some believe he bears a striking resemblance to President Linden Johnson with his predilection for dirty jokes, his cocksure attitude that borders on arrogance, and his impressive size that gives him a commanding presence and important leverage against both friends and foes alike. Karen can definitely see the similarities and only hopes that Johnson's weakness for women will not be transferred over to Daniels as well.
"How are you feeling?" he suddenly whispers in her ear, appearing at her side as if by magic as he easily slides his arm around her waist from behind. Despite his large size, Noah has no trouble moving quietly through a crowd of people. "You look a little tired."
"Just a long day at the office. The transfer to Homeland Security was not as smooth as I hoped it would be," she replies, leaning back against his strong shoulder and drawing comfort from his seemingly bottomless well of strength.
"Let's get out of here then," he growls softly as she turns in surprise to see his trademark sly grin spreading across his chiseled features and his gray eyes soften in her presence.
"Now? But we just arrived. Don't you have some senators you need to meet? Wheels you need to grease?" she teases back, realizing they're in the middle of a crowded room but he makes her feel like they're the only ones there.
"That can wait. Why stay with mere mortals when an angel awaits me at home?" he informs her simply but with his usual flourish that always makes her smile. Karen has never met a man who could spin a compliment so well...a trait that should concern her but somehow always alludes her whenever they‘re alone...afraid of breaking the bond they have already formed.
"If I'm an angel..." she leans in close, dropping her voice to a seductive whisper as she follows it up with a long pause meant to arouse him. "...then you must be the devil, dear husband."
His smile widening at her naughty reply, Noah Daniels gives one simple but truthful response: "Only during campaign season."
Turning to the crowd around him, he suddenly announces, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I must beg your leave and wish you a good night. My beautiful wife has informed me that we have a prior engagement and, as I’m sure you’ll agree, a goddess must not be refused."
Kissing her hand in front of all these people makes Karen feel lightheaded and flattered all at the same time. Noah Daniels is unlike any man she has ever met and his praise of her in public always manages to bring a blush to her cheeks. She wonders if he is this way with every woman he meets...or just with her.
(2). She's at the firing range just off the main campus of the FBI Academy, going through a few rounds of target practice. Between the sound of her gun discharging and the protective headgear she's wearing, she doesn't hear the approach of a group of Congressmen on tour with one of the directors. As she finishes off the last round, Karen pulls off the headphones and wipes her forehead with her arm. All but one shot went straight through the target's center.
"Impressive...but you missed one," a gruff voice announces behind her as she turns around to confront her critic, finding a linebacker size Congressman observing her nearby. She notices the tour group has moved on and decides to put this presumptuous man in his place. If he thinks he can do better, she‘s willing to give him a chance.
"You're welcome to beat my record," she casually challenges him, enjoying the spark of interest that lights up his gray eyes at her forwardness. "That is...if you know how to handle an armed weapon."
Reaching for the gun and headphones she passes over, the Congressman gives her a
cocky half smile before checking the rounds and expertly reloading the weapon before she can say another word. "10mm Lite cartridges...not as powerful as the original 10mm or as versatile as the .40 S&W...but still the perfect choice for a few practice shots on the range."
"Impressive, Congressman," she replies, throwing back the same words he had used with her earlier. "But just because you can load a weapon does not mean-" And then he fires five rounds in quick succession before carefully placing the gun down on the counter, each bullet passing through the target with machine like precision. She is wrong about him after all.
"I would love to continue this little dance, Ms. Hayes, but how about I just cut to the chase," he growls, closing the distance between them as he whispers in her ear. "Have dinner with me...tonight. I know a charming little place downtown that serves the best wine and the most succulent steak you could ever imagine."
“Is that so?“ she toys with him, enjoying the brief moment of triumph that appears in his eyes before she sets him in his place. "It’s really such a pity…I just happen to have a prior engagement, Congressmen. One that I cannot possibly afford to break.”
“Really? And there is nothing that I could do to change your mind?” he replies, watching her retreat like a lion gazing at a gazelle that has just escaped his grasp.
“I’m afraid not,” she tells him, her smile broadening as she reaches up to tuck a stray piece of blonde hair behind her ear. “And even if I wasn’t busy…I’d still say no. A piece of raw meat and an alcoholic beverage doesn’t entice me…A night of conversation with a man who is genuinely interested in getting to know me and not my ass would receive a more welcome invite. Good day, Congressman.”
With that parting remark, she gives him a generous view of her profile as she leaves him to wonder what he did wrong. However, even as she exits the shooting range, a small, amused smile appears on her mouth as she remembers the look of surprise on his face at her refusal. There is an inner strength and overwhelming presence about the man that intrigues her and she likes that he's not intimidated easily, unlike her fellow colleagues who never know what to say when she's around. Maybe if he steps up his game a bit, she'll actually join in and play a round or two. Maybe...
"Excuse me, Agent Hayes?" a familiar voice calls out to her and she turns around to see the harried director from the tour approaching. "Have you seen Congressman Daniels? I'm supposed to get him on a plane back to D.C. in thirty minutes."
"What was the name?" she asks, knowing it has to be the person she just talked to but wanting to ID him herself.
"Noah Daniels? Congressman from Texas?"
Daniels...now she remembers where she has seen him...a press conference on the steps of the Capitol...something about gun control of all things. If it's the same man she's thinking of, then she's just turned down a date with a future President of the United States. Or so the pundits say...
"He didn't give his name but I believe the gentleman you're looking for is still at the shooting range," she tells him before walking away. The smile on her face is wider than before as she gets in her car and thinks that this is one name she won't be forgetting any time soon.
(3). It's late at night and she's nursing a cup of coffee. He said he would be home hours ago but the hands of the clock have continued to move steadily forward and there's been no sign of him yet. Taking a careful sip, Karen swallows and proceeds to get up and go to bed. She has an early day tomorrow and it's after midnight. The dinner she cooked for them both has long since grown cold and she prepares to clean the kitchen before turning in.
He probably was called into yet another strategy session with party leaders on the Hill. Normally she wouldn't mind his late hours since her work at Homeland Security also prevents her from coming home at a decent hour...but this is their one year anniversary and they had both agreed to spend it at home together with a meal they would share at a decent time of day. So much for planning ahead.
She is just blowing out the two candles at the center of the dining room table when she hears her husband using his key at the front door. Let him find her in the middle of this clean up. She no longer cares how guilty he'll feel after seeing her start the dishwasher and clear the kitchen, even as she hears his footsteps approach her from behind.
"I'm sorry, Karen. The Speaker called me into his office about the upcoming vote and I couldn't leave until we secured enough support for our side," he murmurs, leaning in for a kiss but finding empty air as she slips from his grasp. "You're upset."
"Is there a good reason I shouldn't be, Noah? This is our first wedding anniversary and you didn't even bother to call me about when you would get out," she retorts, throwing the dish towel in the sink and turning around to confront him with crossed arms and unmitigated anger. "We planned this weeks ago. I know I've been busy...I know you've been busy...but you could have at least tried to be here. I mean if you can manage to make all of the other meetings you have on your schedule I would think you could make this one since it only happens once a year."
"Karen..." he whispers, reaching up to touch her face but she intercepts his outstretched hand and briefly holds it in her own to emphasize her next point.
"No, Noah. I've had enough. No more apologies. No more excuses. No more waiting," she tells him and drops his hand once she's made her point before retreating from the room. "I'm going to bed now. You can sleep on the couch."
However, as she tries to slip away, she suddenly feels the gentle touch of his own hand on her arm, stopping her from taking another step.
"Dance with me, Karen," he murmurs in her ear as he draws her close, enticing her to stay and forget about what has happened. "Even a condemned man is entitled to a last request."
She closes her eyes and braces herself to tell him no. Surely she can at least do that after what he's done. But when she turns around to confront him, she can't...the softness of his voice and the supplication in his eyes cannot help but make her smile and she lets him lead her out into the living room where he turns on a romantic jazz melody while twirling her across the parquet floor as if she weighs nothing at all.
Hours slip by and neither notice, just content in each other's arms. It is only much later that she realizes what a beautiful thing he has done. With just a few words, he has managed to slip past her defenses and give her exactly what she asked for...a celebration of their first wedding anniversary...alone...and at home. When he leads her up the stairs to bed, she no longer resists, discovering that frustrations of before have disappeared. It is simply impossible for her to be angry with him for long and she hopes that this will always be so.
"You know when you brush your hair back like that it just serves to show how beautiful you truly are," his low voice breaks into her thoughts and she tilts her head up to meet his waiting lips with her own.
"Is that so, Mr. Daniels?" she plays along, squeezing the hand he's placed on her shoulder.
"You're just saying that so you can have your way with me."
"Not at all, Mrs. Daniels," he replies back, smoothly stepping aside so she can finish. "You let me have my way every night we're married."
Smiling in amusement as she carefully places the brush back on her bureau, Karen joins her husband without another word. No matter what happens she knows that she has his heart and that's all that matters.
(4). They're overseas at a diplomatic summit in Yemen. Noah is there as the new Senator from Texas...she is there to support him...and to take advantage of an opportunity to travel overseas. Her new job with Homeland Security doesn't allow her to leave the country very often but his invitation to accompany him on his summit was an offer she couldn't refuse. Right now they're visiting a local market with a security detail worthy of a president...no one is taking any chances with the political climate being what it is over here. Stopping at a booth with a number of colorful scarves on display, Karen picks one out to hold against her fair skin as the merchant carefully but eagerly walks over to assist her, dollar signs appearing in the old man's eyes.
"Noah..." she calls out to him as he wanders off to a stall a few feet further down, looking over the gold jewelry on display.
"Hmm?" he replies, reaching out to examine a sold gold chain to wear around his wrist.
"Which do you think would look better with that dark blue suit I have at home?" she asks him, holding out a sky blue scarf with gold edging or a white silk scarf with silver accents.
"Actually I think both are perfect...if that's all you will be wearing," he teases her, his half grin making a rare appearance.
"You're impossible," she scolds him but can't help smiling. Only her husband would be so audacious. At least there's never a dull moment when he's around.
"Madame should choose the light blue scarf. It brings out your eyes," the wrinkled Arab suddenly pipes up in broken English, eyes gleaming at the thought of this potential sale. "For you, I'll sell two...for the price of one."
“Two for the price of one, hmm? Are you trying to make a move on my wife, good sir?" Noah breaks in, bringing his impressive size to bear on the much smaller man and almost making Karen giggle out loud. Her husband can be quite formidable when he wants to be but the idea of him taking on a man twice as old and half his body weight is humorous in any context, let alone the one they find themselves in now. However, the little man is not to be deterred and just gives him a grin displaying some wonderful gold teeth while making a very wordy apology that is laced with compliments on her virtue and beauty.
Just as she is about to interrupt them both, shots ring out and Karen turns to see one of the security agents in their detail go down. Crying out in surprise and alarm, she reaches for the man but is stopped by a sharp pain in her side...and then another in her leg. She collapses to the ground and realizes she's been hit as her hand pulls away from the wound covered in fresh blood.
"Noah..." she whispers as he moves faster than she ever thought possible, catching her as she falls and carrying her to the relative safety of an abandoned porcelain shop. The marketplace is deserted, merchants and shoppers alike disappearing at the arrival of the unknown sniper. No one wants to be responsible for the death of an American, let alone the wife of a Senator.
"She's losing consciousness. We need to stop the bleeding," a familiar voice she can't identify speaks through the haze she finds herself in.
Someone is calling the Embassy for support while another tries to examine her wounds. She can feel her body shutting down, control of her motor functions slipping away as she nears unconsciousness. Fighting to stay awake, she searches for something...anything to help her ignore the pain and trauma that is to follow. Her training at the Bureau deserts her as she begins to feel herself panic, gasps of air becoming labored and more frequent.
"Karen..." her husband strong but gentle voice breaks in, saying her name in a way that is both endearing and calming. "It's all right. Let the man do his work. I'm not leaving your side. Concentrate on me, Karen...don't think about anything else...just concentrate on me."
And she does...his warm, inviting eyes draw her in as his hand closes around her own in reassurance, providing the one vital lifeline she needs to get through this. In his eyes, she finds strength. In his touch, she finds comfort. She's not alone...he's right here...he won't leave her side. Not when she screams in agony as they cut into her abdomen to remove the bullet. Not when they sew up the incision without the aid of anesthetic. Not when they load her into the vehicle that arrives from the Embassy.
"Noah..." she finally speaks through parched lips and a haze of pain. They're not quite at the hospital but it's only a few miles away.
"Yes?" He asks, the first lines of worry beginning to show on his forehead.
"Next time you ask me to come with you...remind me to say no..."
"I promise," he whispers back, kissing her hand and giving her his trademark half smile.
"No more third world countries for us...just a deserted beach, some palm trees, and nothing but miles of ocean."
"I'd like that..." she tells him, returning his smile before passing into unconsciousness.
When she awakes the next day, he is still by her side, snoozing in a hospital armchair. The sight of his slightly ragged form staying up all night with her is touching and she reaches out to caress his cheek. He stirs at her touch, reminding her of a big, sleepy teddy bear coming out of hibernation. There are so many qualities she loves about her husband but it is his ability to be both protective and affectionate that she values most.
"You're still here?" she teases him, enjoying these few moments alone with him. "What about your meetings? The summit?"
"They don't need me...you do," he confesses, kissing her hand as he gazes into the eyes of the woman he almost lost. "Just promise you won't make any future plans to leave this world without me."
"How could you ever think that…" she assures him with a generous smile. “Even in heaven, I’d be lost without you.”
"So an angel tells me..." he whispers back, leaning in for a kiss that even Sleeping Beauty would envy and Karen allows herself to enjoy this perfect moment in time.
(5). A number of years have passed since the last time she has worked with Noah at the White House…even more since they’ve been married. Though she has found true contentment with Bill Buchanan, Karen find that she misses the spirited conversations she had with Noah and that mischievous twinkle that would enter his eye as she ardently defended her position. Bill is a good man and she expects to spend the rest of her life with him but sometimes she just wants someone she can argue and reason with…someone who won’t back down and can be as stubborn as she is. Sometimes…
It’s late on a Friday night and she’s at Andrews Air Force Base catching a flight back to Los Angeles. As she checks her email from her cell phone, a sudden imposing presence appears at her side, making her look up. And there he is…still as handsome as ever with that sly grin she always loved.
“Is this seat taken?” he growls and she actually smiles, glad that he’s decided to approach her before her flight starts boarding.
“Not for an old friend,” she replies, watching him take the seat beside her. “You look good, Noah. Congratulations on passing the Medicare bill through the Senate. I’m sure you stayed up all night for that one.”
“You have no idea,” he agrees, pausing a moment before asking how she is. “Everything fine with you and Bill?”
“Yes, he’s enjoying his time breaking in a new team at CTU. Now I’m the one waiting for him to come home but it’s a nice change. He really enjoys his work there.”
“I’m happy for him,” he tells her but somehow she doesn’t believe him. Could it be…could he still…does he think of her the same way she thinks of him…And then he speaks, dismissing any doubts she might have had. “I miss you, Karen…And I know I should be happy for you and Bill…but I can’t…I love you too damn much for that to ever happen.”
“Noah…I don’t know what to say…I…I’m speechless,” she admits, astonished at this unexpected confession. What can she tell him? That she also misses their conversations and arguments both at work and at home? That she really does love Noah but they can never be together because of their opposing personalities.
“You don’t have to say anything, Karen,” he whispers, a small but sad smile appearing on his face once more. “You forget how well I can read you…even after all of these years.”
“Noah…I love Bill…He’s given me everything I could ask for…I’ve never been happier…I’ve never felt more safe or content in my entire life,” she explains, determined to be truthful no matter how much it costs her. “But there are times…when I miss our spirited discussions…when I miss you arguing with me over national security. I won’t deny it because it’s part of what we had but we both know we couldn’t make the marriage work. Neither of us wanted to back down or compromise. And that is something that is desperately needed if a marriage is going to work. Bill gives me that and I am learning to do the same. I hope you understand that.”
“I understand that by winning the battle I lose the war. And I must live with that mistake. No matter what happens, I hope you can forgive me for whatever pain I cause you during the divorce. I know I said some things I wish I could take back and I know I did some things that hurt you deeply. I would never want that to come between the friendship we have left.”
“Noah…” she whispered, reaching for his hand. “I forgave you the moment you told me the truth. I could never stay angry with you for long when we were married and I could never be angry with you now.”
“Any chance I can steal you back from Bill?” he asked her quietly as she gave him a friendly hug.
“Not if you want to walk out of her alive,” she fired back good naturedly, enjoying the warmth that returned to his eyes. “However, you may buy me a cup of coffee.”
“I’ll take what I can get,” he tells her and offers her an arm like an old country gentleman. “Mrs. Buchanan…would you care to accompany me to the café for a drink?”
“I’d be delighted,” she tells him, taking the proffered arm of a good friend.
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I love it! Especially the first two! I'm so happy you are writing about them too! I have a new little plotbunny chasing me around and I hope to work on it this week onboard! :) I'm so happy I've been able to sell Karen/Daniels with my fic! I'm not hiding my love for this ship anymore! LOL
ooo you're out at sea :)
Re: ooo you're out at sea :)
I think it's great that you write Noah that way! He's not all bad! I even wrote him worse than he is! LOL
Did you like the fic? Did I get the characters right? I have another idea that I'm writing down now but we'll see how it works out!
I'm looking forward to reading your new fic!
Re: ooo you're out at sea :)
Oh I'm glad you like it!! The new fic came along nicely! Just needs one last paragraph. I have six things (3 for Karen and 3 for Noah) that they like about each other...just some little things...like the title of the fic says *giggles*
Oh my gosh yes! I LOVED your fic! It inspired me to write more. I'm catching up on LJ entries so was going to read it again with a more detailed note on what I liked. Him rubbing her shoulders and the way he longs for her. Spot on!! Can't wait to see what we come up with together :D *evil grin*
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but you must be on crack.
Karen and Noah?? i want to cry...or vomit..maybe both.
but hey, you have your creative license so if you want to..go for it.
but they are the last two i would ship.
and i miss you!!!
Well, you know we all crack sooner or later :D
And I'm not cracked...yet :) I just like finding possibilities in the most interesting combinations. And Noah and Karen speak to me. Not in the present but in the past :) My muse for stories is present when I think of stories for them. It's the contrast of good and evil that's so attractive. This one will be way less popular than Martha/Charles but who cares? I love them :D
Bill first but Noah came before *giggles*
Re: Well, you know we all crack sooner or later :D
you, my dear, are insane. &hearts
Re: Well, you know we all crack sooner or later :D
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I feel like I'm cheating on Bill, but oh well! It's fun to play around with the thought of Karen and Daniels together!
Thanks again for telling me about this! I really enjoyed it! Keep me up to date with your fics, okay? I love reading yours!
- Madison
Oh thank you so much :D
I still love Bill and Karen but had to mine the potential material out of this relationship :D
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And, oh, I really like the comparison between Noah and Johnson.
Oh sweet!!
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Oh thank you :)