The Senator's Vote

"Good work, guys, I'll send a team in and medics."

"Son of a bitch! We have to get out of here there's a bomb; it could go off any minute now. Jeff help me carry Henderson," Keith said.

"No, Keith! It's too risky! Get your men and yourself out of there now!" I yelled.

"C-" The radio went dead.

I cursed out loud as I ran my hands stressfully through my hair again. "Amy close the perimeter, there's a bomb. We're going to need medics, bomb squad, and back up," I said into the comm.

"Copy that."

I pulled out my gun, and held it with my left hand as I made my way to the gate. Leeds, Parker, and Maloney followed me.

As I reached the gate the main building thirty feet away was wracked by an explosion. The ground rocked with the force and I nearly lost my footing as the building went up in flames and smoke. I stifled a scream. Please, God, no, let him be okay. This cannot be happening today. He has to be okay. I ran as fast as I could down to the building and searched around. Not far off Jeff was bent over Pete who was lying on the ground seemingly unconscious. I turned in a circle and kept searching. I wanted to cry in relief when I saw Keith off to the side, one hand supporting him as he leaned against a tree. I turned to go to him, but I saw Leeds and Parker waiting for orders.

I snapped at Maloney because he was just standing there surveying the chaos. "Get the medics here now! Get a team down here and clean this up. If Henderson is dead I want it confirmed. Have SWAT sweep the area and make sure there aren't any more hostiles. Move now!"

He ran off mumbling about having to take orders from me. I ignored him as I ran to Keith. Reaching him I put my hand on his back. He smiled as he looked up and saw me.

"Keith," I whispered as I moved in front of him. I took his face in my hands and brushed the soot off of his face. I kissed him softly. "You okay?"

"I couldn't get Henderson out of there. Not enough time....he set it up that way. I barely got through the door when the explosion went off. I was thrown and hit a tree. I'm pretty sure I broke a rib...or two," he winced. I immediately noticed his ragged breathing.