Continued Alternate Universe

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Before you read this you NEED TO HAVE READ the previous chapters (Summer Vacation and A Different Time) but this is a continuation of both of those. Enjoy! ❤️
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Carter strolled down the White House hallway, her gym bag slung across her chest. Men in black suits passed her, some recognizing her and nodding while others barely glanced at her presence.

A door along the hall opened and Mason walked out, dressed in gym clothes and drinking from a water bottle. When the pair locked eyes, they slowed and quietly regarded each other as they passed.

"I still regret it," Mason said.

"Not more than me," Carter said. "Worst decision of my life was not ending it after a week. Best decision was dumping you."

"It was mutual."

"Sure, it was."

"Can't even imagine what I was thinking," Mason said. "Now you're where you should be as my arch-nemesis."

Carter spread out her hands in a careless fashion. "Really? Because you don't even merit that much commitment from me. You're simply an annoying boy I made the mistake of dating."

"I stand corrected, you're merely that random girl I go to school with."

"Fine by me."

"Fine."

Carter spun around and headed away from Mason, shaking her head. Whatever made her say yes to dating Mason Douglas was beyond her. She blamed it on the isolated summer at Camp David. It was like Stockholm syndrome.

Putting Mason out of her mind, she turned into the training room. She paused in the doorway, scanning the occupants. A few pairs sparred together but they weren't who Carter focused on.

She focused on the newest Secret Service agent in the far corner boxing a dummy.

As if sensing her gaze, Donovan met Carter's eyes. He gave her a short nod and returned to his practice. Carter had to face facts, he was cute. Correction, he wasn't cute, he was the type of good-looking that should be illegal. He was a walking distraction hazard. He could cause car wrecks if he ever crossed the street.

Spinning on her heel, Carter headed to the locker room where she changed from her school uniform into gym clothes. She dropped her gym bag by the mats and tied her hair back. Donovan was still at the dummy, his movements precise.

A pair of boxing gloves flew into Carter's face and she jerked back, barely catching them.

"Look alive, Owens," Curtis said, grinning.

She sent him a flat look and tugged on the gloves.

"We're working on your footing today," Curtis said. "You take too big of steps, it throws off your balance."

"Sounds good."

Carter held up her hands, ready to spar. She managed to go a few minutes before her eyes were drawn to Donovan. A smack to the side of her head sent her stumbling.

"Focus," Curtis said.

Carter righted herself and went again, willing herself to keep to the task at hand. She fared better the next time, lasting longer before she glanced Donovan's way. A hit to the shoulder took her by surprise and she hit the mat. Muttering, Carter rose to her feet.

"I got this," Carter said.

Instead of falling into his stance, Curtis straightened, arms crossed.

"Forget it," Curtis said.

"Forget what?" Carter said, struggling not to let her gaze betray her.

"You fail to remember that I've known you long enough to know how smart you are. That means you can't play dumb."

Carter dropped her head back and let out a breath.

"Carter, you're sixteen," Curtis said.

"Is that so, I thought conveniently aged two years overnight."

"You didn't. So that means you aren't allowed to talk to him for-"

"Two years?"

"With your father, it's more like ten years."

Carter shook her gloved hands in a cheer. "Yay for being an old maid."

"I'm not kidding, if you don't want Agent Keller to suddenly disappear in the middle of the night then you leave it be."

"Fine, can I please hit you now?"

Curtis smiled and beckoned her forward, Carter came at him driving all her emotions into her hits.

By the time they were finished, Carter was sweaty, tired, and resigned. Hair fell out of her ponytail but she didn't bother to do anything with it.

"I'm going home to wallow about my terrible love life," she said.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Carter slung her gym back over her shoulder and headed towards the training room door. Halfway there, she ran crossed paths with Donovan. Life was cruel sometimes, even sweating he was attractive. He should really spare some of those good looks for the less fortunate. And great, his smile was even better. This guy was the worst.

"Two years," she said.

"Is that so," Donovan said.

Now Carter really hated him, he caught on fast. How was she supposed to wait two years?

"Yup, no way around it," she said.

"It will have to be six years," Donovan said.

"Playing hard to get?"

He smiled again. Man, he looked good when he smiled. Jeez, she could not catch a break!

"That's when I'm done in the service," Donovan said. "I can't be dating my boss's daughter."

"I'll be done college by then."

"It's a date then."

"Looks like it."

She saluted him and had to force herself to keep walking. Which got more challenging when she spotted her father in the doorway. He stared at her, scowl already in place. Carter stopped in front of him and looked back at Donovan.

"Carter, no."

"Don't worry, Captain," she said. "We know."

"You do?"

He seemed surprised by her acceptance of it.

"Yeah, we do." She kissed her father's cheek. "I'm off."

"Where you going?" he asked.

"Home," she said. "I have to get ready." She grinned at him as she walked backward. "I have a date in six years."

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Hey there my little pop tart!

(Does that sound as weird to you as it does to me? 🤔)

Tell me tell me tell me tell me! (In non-annoying terms that means please share with me your thoughts kind reader. Well it's a rough translation) 🗯💬💭

Who wants to know what happened in six years?

Not going to lie I love this one shot. There was something about it that made me smile. I think it's the fact that Carter's so open and less guarded. Also more openly attracted to Donovan than we ever saw in the original book.

I don't know, it just makes me happy knowing that they are still Carter and Donovan no matter what dimension we're in.

Oh vote comment follow or whatever

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