Page 2 of Guarding the Singer

"Not sure diplomacy is in my future, ma'am. Just serving my country."

Her smile brightened. "Humble. Good answer." She handed him another paper. "This is a map of where you need to go. You're on our Special Securitydetail for the Inauguration. Follow that map and you'll meet your assignment for today."

Meet my assignment?

"Ma'am?"

"Yes, Master Sergeant?"

"Am I guarding a person?"

She nodded her head in all seriousness, but the smile on her face softened a little. "Selene."

"Selene..." the name had a familiar ring to it. "I don't-"

Recognition hit him like a big rig.

"My sister... I think she has posters on her wall-"

"And likely t-shirts, a backpack, and any number of things with Selene's face and name on them. She's a superstar."

William nodded. "I guess. So, I'm guarding her today."

"Don't worry, I doubt you'll have to fend off the bad guys. Mostly we'll expect that you keep your dress uniform presentable and make sure she gets through the chaos to the stage for her number and then back here so she can change for the Inaugural Ball."

A ball.

Fuck.

Parties. Dancing? A big ol' nope in his book.

"You really need to figure out a way to keep your face under control, Master Sergeant." She laughed ashe fought off an uncharacteristic flush of embarrassment on his face.

"Really, though," she shook her head, "you don't have to worry. I've got another Marine taking over for the ball. It's not like we'd expect you to dance if that's your worry. Her guards are just to make sure she's not bothered. I'm sure she'll have more than her share of invitations to dance."

Someone ran up to Claudia's side.

"Miss Schiffrin, I-"

She held up her pointer finger. "One moment."

Claudia turned back to him. "If you need me, my number is on the bottom of both papers. Thank you for your service."

He nodded. "Thank you for the opportunity."

He moved away to look at the map and shook his head. For once, he wished he'd paid a little more attention to his sister's taste in music.

It would make things easier if he was able to say something to the pop star to set her at ease with him.

He smiled as he considered calling his sister to ask her for some information, but he really didn't need the teen to shatter his eardrums.

He remembered his last Christmas when their mother had given Mary Selene's new album and a T-shirt matching the cover art.

Mary wore that shirt the whole weekend and was still wearing it when he left for the airport to return to base.

He'd tell her later and deal with the fallout.

The map was easy enough to follow. It marked the room as the Lincoln Bedroom. Something he'd heard about before but certainly never seen in person.

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