Unknown Airfield (Confidential location)

In the dark two SUVs approached the aircraft, now parked and fueled to fly. Not wanting to take the risk Agent Barrowman wrestled the steering wheel from me and had my father and me buckled on the passenger seats behind and another agent sat beside him. The heads of state were lucky to be still in the secured Operation Room when the attack happened. Now they all sat in the same vehicle behind our current vehicle. As I got down from the vehicle I slipped my hands into the black coat, breathing in a breath of fresh air.

I often forget to have a proper look at the aircraft carrying my father to countries for diplomatic visits. Although lights shined in the dark the unmistakable colors of white and blue are still visible, the name of our country on the body of the plane and with the flag on the tail of the aircraft. "We have to go Madam Vice President." Barrowman urged me as the agents flanked us in all directions.

"Fine." I replied. "Where are we flying?"

"Alaska ma'am. There's a covert military base that we can use."

"Free of detection?" I asked, climbing the metal steps.

"I can't guarantee that ma'am." He replied. "As long as the Secret Service knows that you're both safe and sound."

"Big Barn is compromised." I said to myself. I sighed in respond, there were so many memories there. Entering the aircraft the Secret Service gets to work, strapping us and the leaders to their chairs through safety belt restrains. Five minutes later the aircraft took off from the runway, now soaring over the dark skies where the American people are still in their slumber. The luxury of sleep has expired, a recent luxury that I don't endure often.

"Sir, madam." Barrowman called, unbuckling his seat belt after listening to his earpiece. "There's a call, for the both of you." Dad was confused but I was grimacing, because I know who has the guts to do this and it's definitely not Bruce. I told him that we can't talk to one another unless... unless someone forced him to make the call. "Sir? Madam?"

"Get us into the room, now." Dad responded, after a long pause. Unbuckling our seat belts Barrowman led us into the secure room dad implied. Inside the room there were only couches and two tables with a TV hooked to the wall. The room was big in size as the agent turned on the TV. I pulled my hair to my left shoulder as the members of the JL showed up on video. To be frank, I hated interlopers during moments like this.

"Mr. President..."

"No." Dad responded. Bruce didn't speak, we both know that you shouldn't piss both me and my father off on this kind of situations.

"Madam Secretary..."

"No." I said, refusing to comply.

"It's Madam Vice President to you." Barrowman snarled.

"Andrew." I said calmly.

"Right..."

"Are we secure Andrew?" Dad asked.

"Yes Mr. President." The three of us looked at the three in the eye.

"You have never been helpful during these days." I said. "What do you want?" I snarled.

"We wanted to ask..."

"No. You are clearly not aware." I said, crossing my arms. "TRJ is already making their move and your bullshit call isn't worth it."

"TRJ?"

"Can you be cautious a bit?" Bruce interrupted. "TRJ means The Rising Jihad. The most notorious terrorist group on Earth."

"Good work. Does it take you that long?"

"No, they have claimed responsibility of the bombing of seven cities."

"True." I said, angling my head to met Batman's gaze. "I was outside the Capitol Building when the bomb goes off at the Monument."

"Which countries Madam Vice President?"

"Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo, Beijing, Ottawa and London." I reported. "State your intentions, we're going to land soon."

"We don't know what is going on in the White House but I assure you Mr. President and Madam Vice President, you can reach us for help."

"Not going to happen." I rebuffed. "The cost is too great." Then I looked down for a while. "I need to talk with Batman, alone."

"Madam..."

"Just the both of us. All of you, out." I said. "I mean it." As soon as the four of them are out of my range of vision I breathed out a shaky breath, putting my hands on my waist.

"You looked..."

"I'm not happy. Didn't I told you NOT to contact me at this hour?" I asked.

"If not for him, you think I would?! From the moment you sent me The Darkest Hour I already know what is going on."

"Warn them, stop them. Big Barn is down for the count."

"What? Big Barn is..."

"TRJ found us and razed the ranch to the ground." I explained.

"Isa, you're setting yourself and your father on fire." Bruce said, a minute later.

"This is not my first day on the job, I know the consequences, I've seen them in Afghan and Syria." I said. "Do you want to know the price you have to pay when you say that?"

"No, I don't have to. I know my standing, but it's the JL's standing on this."

"And they are not the president and vice president's personal bodyguards." I rebuffed. "Look, this is not a good time to speak Bruce."

"I know, I know you're still the Isabella I remembered. You're still trying to keep your cool in all of this."

"A lot of things has changed in the political arena. First Dally fell, I was shot twice..." Bruce winced in the background when I mentioned being shot myself. "... and now I became the vice president."

"I understand your decision to not involve superheroes in presidential security. You don't have to yell at me like that."

"It's not your call, I know, and I respect that."

"Bruce, don't tell anyone about the file. Only you, me and my father knows it."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. secret." He only replied. "I won't, I promise."

"Madam Vice President?" Agent Barrowman opened the door after a knock.

"What is it?"

"We're landing in ten minutes."

"I see." I said.

"Go do your job madam vice president." Bruce said, signing off.

"I know." I muttered to myself. "I know and I'm sorry."