The Secret's Out

Written By: D’be-D’be


The election was over! All the speeches given! All the traveling, rubber chicken dinners, sore hands, sleepless nights and other matters affiliated with a Presidential election were behind him now. It was in the hands of the people. President Pierce was glad it was over. He was tired and stressed out because, unlike his political opponent who had nothing else to do but focus on the election, he had a country to run. Problems didn’t go away just because the President was trying to get re-elected.

He looked around the room. His father was glued to the television, remote in hand, flipping from one news station to another trying to keep up with the exit poles. His mother was on the phones calling up polling stations. His campaign manager was on the Internet and the first lady was sitting in a corner reading a book. Whether he got re-elected or not, didn’t matter to her at all. Their marriage was over and they both knew that. The divorce papers were in the hands of their lawyers and as soon as possible the two were going their separate ways regardless of what the people thought. His eyes then focused on the love of his life, his lover and Top, Vice-President Billy Walker. Walker was moving from talking on the phones to watching the results on the TV. From time to time their eyes met, giving each other that knowing look.

Pierce knew it was going to be a long night. The final results wouldn’t be in until early morning. He couldn’t concentrate on the results, so he motioned for Walker to follow him into the hallway.

“Billy, I’m really tired. Is it okay if I go and lay down for awhile?”

Walker was very pleased his Brat sought out his permission to rest. He knew what kind of emotional roller coaster ride Robbie had been on in the last year, beginning with the recovery period he had to go through from General Myers attack. Taking Pierce’s hand in his, he told him to go lie down and he’d wake him up if there was any news.

“I wish you could come lie down with me, Billy,” Pierce mumbled.

“I know, Slugger, but you know that’s impossible with everyone here. Go on now, get some rest and I promise I’ll check up on you later.”

The two lovers squeezed each other’s hands as they parted company. Walker went back to the phones while the President went to his private suite.

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Although Pierce was dead tired, he couldn’t sleep. His mind kept playing little movies from the past. It was like the last year was slowly being replayed for his review. He shuddered as he remembered how the election year got started.

He remembered how he had awakened in his bed at Camp David, crying out in pain as the full force of the beating he received hit home. Walker was a God-send with patience, tenderness and most of all love. Walker mended him back to health. Billy held him night after night as he cried himself to sleep, both from pain and anguish. Billy encouraged and kept his spirits up through the many hours of medical treatments his wounds required. Walker was so gentle with him as he had to give him the three special baths a day in medicated water, then administer both oral medication as well as antibiotic cream to his sore and swollen buttocks. Then as Pierce was on the mend again, Wallker’s patience was tested as Pierce fought against the bed rest orders that were given. His nerves were on edge and he took it out on his Top, but Walker just smiled and ignored the complaints and acting out because he knew where Pierce’s mood was coming from. Then, after three weeks, the doctor finally told Walker that the President was recovered enough to resume his duties, so Walker told him that starting Monday, he could get out of bed. That wasn’t good enough for Pierce however. He wanted out immediately but Walker held firm and put his foot down. By the tone his Top’s voice, Pierce knew his time of getting away with bad behavior was over, so he relented for the time being at least.

Pierce came back into the present as he heard shouting coming from downstairs. It was his father yelling at the television set as one reporter was running his son down. Pierce smiled to himself but the smile quickly left as he recalled what happened to him when he disobeyed his Top’s orders and slipped out of bed before that last weekend of bed rest was over.

When he was sure Walker was asleep, Pierce had slipped out of bed, slipped on a pair of sweats and left the bedroom to take a short walk down the wooded trails of Camp David. It was good to get out and breathe in the fresh air instead of the stale air of that stuffy bedroom. He was a little weak but other than that he felt fine. He took his time and after about a quarter mile he turned around and headed back, thinking he could slip back into the room and into the bed without Walker being any the wiser. As he slipped into the room however, without putting on the light he heard a cold, steel voice coming out of the dark.

“Have a nice walk Mr. President?”

‘Damn, I’m screwed,’ Pierce thought to himself when he found himself in the now bright room as Walker turned on the bed lamp. He tried to act cocky and sure of himself, but the tremble in his voice gave him away.

“Ya…I mean, yes. It was great getting out of that damn bed!”

“Somehow, I recall telling you, you couldn’t do that until the weekend was over.”

“Well….yes you did….but…I’m feeling fine and I just had to get out of bed before I exploded.”

“That’s not the point is it, Slugger. You disobeyed me and you know what happens when you disobey me.”

“Oh God, Billy….I’m so sorry, please don’t spank me….I…didn’t mean to disobey you. I just had to get out of that damn bed….I’ll stay in bed an extra day….I’ll do a whole scribbler of lines…but don’t spank me….” His voice began to crack.

Back in his bed at the White House, Pierce began to cry as he recalled the look of disappointment and determination on Walker’s face as he got out of that bed and made his way to Pierce. He could still hear Walkers words as he stood face to face with his Brat.

“Remove your clothes and go and lay face down on the bed. You know the rules for disobedience and you are now fully recovered enough to receive the proper discipline. I was very lenient with you the past three weeks but the doctor has now given you a clean bill of health, so the lenience is over. MOVE!”

Pierce hadn’t argued. He did what he was told and soon found himself naked and laying face down on the bed waiting for his Top to come to him. He heard Walker open a chest of drawers and got up on his elbows to look over his shoulder to see what Walker was up to. He was speechless when he saw Walker place what looked like a type of glove on his right hand.

“What is that?” he asked as Walker approached the bed.

“It’s called a buffer, and it was made for times like this when a Brat needs to be disciplined but his skin may be more sensitive that usual. And although you are going to get a spanking, I felt it was wise to use this device instead of my bare hand, because your little butt is still a little sore and I wanted to make it easier on you. Now lay back down and get ready for your discipline to begin.”

Before he could stop himself a very sarcastic remark came out of Pierce’s mouth. “How big of you!”

“Oh Robbie, you’re really testing me now, aren’t you? Well instead of the ten slaps you were going to get, you are now going to receive fifteen because of that disrespectful remark.”

Without any more hesitation, Walker sat down next to Pierce and placed him over his lap and with more power than he had planned, gave Pierce fifteen quick hard slaps on his bare behind. After the first slap, Pierce had begun to cry out but Walker ignored his Brat and carried out the well-deserved punishment. When it was over, he rolled Pierce off his lap and into the middle of the bed where he joined him and took him in his arms and rocked him back and forth until the tears subsided.

“There, there now, Slugger. It’s all over.”

“Oh, Billy. I’m so sorry I disobeyed and disrespected you. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Slugger. Now forget it. How is your butt?”

“It’s sore, but not as sore as it could have been without that a buffer.”

“Ha, Ha, good! But remember, Slugger, that buffer was only good for one use only. Next time you get my bare hand.”

“Ill try and remember that.” Pierce then snuggled up close to his Top and fell fast asleep.

Another scream brought him back to the present. This time it was a shout of joy.

“WE TOOK FLORIDA! WE TOOK FLORIDA!” he heard his supporters shouting as Walker entered the bedroom.

When Walker walked into the room, Pierce jumped out of bed and ran into his waiting arms. Walker picked him up and spun his lover around then planted a soft kiss on his mouth as he placed him back on the floor. Pierce could never get over the strength that Walker possessed. After all Walker was 57 years old, but his 6’1” frame and 200 pounds disguised his well-formed body. Walker worked out every day with weights and calisthenics to keep himself in shape in order to keep up with his equally fit Brat.

“Hey, Billy, I hear we took Florida. How does Ohio look?”

“It’s too early to tell, but the so-called experts stated we’d never win the south especially Florida because of your liberal ways of thinking on certain subjects. We just proved them wrong, so who knows if the great people of Ohio will follow suit.”

“Are you going back down stairs?”

“Ya, I better hit the phones and call our people out there to make sure they’re on the ball and that every registered voter has been contacted.”

“Should I go down with you?”

“No, Slugger, you stay up here and rest for another little while. It may be hours before we know for sure. I just wanted to come up and celebrate a little with you.”

With that, he planted another warm, tender kiss on Pierce’s lips and he placed him back in bed. “Pleasant dreams, Mr. President.”

Alone again, Pierce let his mind drift back to the campaign trail. Every week he was in one state or another, sometimes two or three states a day depending on his schedule. His message was the same wherever he went. He talked about his successes in the past four years and how his opponent would jeopardize his well-laid out peace plan for the Middle East and, if his opponent had his way, the budget for health and social programs would dwindled down to almost nothing. Although Pierce came from wealth, he always could relate to the every day struggles of the common man to make ends meet. He worked real hard and fought many a battle with both the Senate and Congress on passing welfare bills and making sure non-profit organizations, that catered to the homeless and less fortunate, received the money necessary to keep their doors open. Pierce was also a strong voice for victim and gay rights for reasons no one really knew. His opponent also came from wealth and that’s where his heart was: protecting the wealthy and big business and to hell with the little guy. His opponent was also a strong advocate to ban any legislation or bills that would give the gay community the rights they deserved.

‘I just have to win again,’ Pierce thought to himself. ‘There is still so much to do!’

Then, there were the debates. Oh ya, he remembered those well. Especially the second one where he got himself in deep trouble with Walker. After that one in Florida, he found it hard to sit comfortable on any of the cushioned seats of Air Force One.

The first debate in Arizona was about foreign policy and how the Pierce administration handled foreign commerce, peace, and humanitarian aid in the Third World. Pierce’s record was above average in those areas so there was really no controversy, just his opponent’s ideas on how he would handle things different. As a matter of fact, that debate was quite boring. In Florida, the debate was going to be about social issues and everyone in the Pierce camp knew the topic of gay rights was going to be top on the agenda. Walker warned Pierce to remain calm and not give his opponent any ammunition that could be used against him. Walker assembled a team to put the President through his paces. Having him practice his response on the various subjects that would come up. Walker had Fletcher play their opponent and his job was to antagonize Pierce with stupid, prejudice remarks about the gay lifestyle to see how Pierce would react. He was calm and cool when it came to the topics of social welfare and human rights, but every time Fletcher brought up the gay issue, Pierce would begin to loose his cool. His face would get red and his blue eyes became cold and angry. He’d stammer and his voice would rise. It was quite obvious to anyone witnessing his response, Pierce was not in control of his emotions. Again and again, the team would practice the debate until Pierce became more in control and less emotional. Finally the time for the debate was upon them and the night before they left for Florida Walker took Pierce to his private retreat for some relaxation and some words of warning. They had an intimate dinner that included soft music and candlelight. They made love with deep passion and wild abandonment that left them both spent and satisfied. Afterward, while the two were relaxing over brandy, Walker took the opportunity to remind Pierce to stay in control and the consequences of disobeying these words.

“Listen, Slugger, I want you to promise me you’ll remember all I taught you during our practice sessions and that you will not start a shouting match with that man. It will not be Presidential and it will really harm our standing in the polls if the American people see their President having a temper tantrum on live TV. If you feel yourself loosing control just picture yourself over my lap with my hand making you little butt burn, understood?”

“Billy, I can’t come across as a wuzz!”

“I’m not saying you should. Just answer his comments with calm, straight answers. Your belief in this cause is just and true, so remember that and be the better man and don’t let him get the best of you.”

“I’ll try Billy….really I will!”

“Do more that try, Slugger. Do it!”

Pierce was obviously nervous as the debate began. There were three individuals who were in charge of asking the candidates various questions dealing with subjects ranging from the plight of the homeless to same-sex marriage. Each questioner represented groups that worked for various organizations that supported those causes. The monitor was a prominent anchor for a major news station. Each candidate was given five minutes to lay out their agenda for social programs beginning with the President. As Pierce began to speak his voice shook but it became stronger and more determined as he laid out his record on social programs and his strong belief on minority rights. His words earned him warm applause from the crowd. Then it was time for his opponent’s point of view to be heard. His words were filled with critical remarks on Pierce’s record as well as disapproval for any form of gay rights that Pierce was going to try and legislate in his second term. Pierce found his heart beginning to pound in his chest and his blood pressure rise. “Remain calm, remain calm,” he whispered to himself in his mind. And he did almost to the very end. It was the final question that did him in. A lady from the PFLAG organization stood up and asked the question: “Mr. President, if you are re-elected will you support the bill that will allow same-sex marriage in every state of the union.?”

“That is an excellent question,” Pierce started out. “I feel it is about time that all gay people be afforded the same rights and privileges that heterosexuals are granted. If they wish to live together or marry, they should be able to qualify for all benefits that are available to them, both medical and legal. When two people love each other and decide to make that giant step to share their lives together, it shouldn’t matter what sex they are. Love is love no matter what. Thank you.”

Then it was time for his opponent to give his rebuttal: “Mr. President, I cannot believe you are standing here telling the American people that you condone that sinful and immoral way of life. The bible states only a man and woman should lay down with each other and anything else is plain and obvious sin. Anyone who would condone this way of life if no better than those people and should not be trusted to be in charge of the most powerful country in the world.”

Pierce began to shout: “Those people…those people. What in the hell do you mean by ‘those people’, sir?”

“You know exactly what I mean by ‘those people’, Mr. President. Anyone man who would take another man to his bed should burn in hell. Sodomy is immoral and illegal in the eyes of God.”

“Who are you to be talking about the eyes of God? God’s greatest commandment is to love one another, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a man giving his whole body and soul to another man if that’s what he chooses.”

“Are you telling the American people that you would allow a man to make love to you if you so choose?”

“YES, I WOULD!”

The crowd began to buzz in amazement that the President of the United States would actually admit such a thing. Back at the hotel Walker went ballistic. Fletcher did his best to calm him down and he told Walker what Pierce had just done was brave and was way past due.”

“You think so, Tom. Well maybe so, but I told that little brat not to loose his temper or to give in to that asshole and what does he do, he goes right ahead and does it anyway.”

“Bill, we both know that the President has a mind of his own and his beliefs are strong. He doesn’t deliberately set out to disobey you, it just happens.”

“Are you telling me I shouldn’t discipline him for disobeying me?”

“Not at all, you set rules for your Brat and they should be followed. All I’m saying is calm down and take the time to remember who he is and don’t hit him in anger.”

“You’re right, To. Of course, to tell you the truth, I’m proud of him for sticking up for what he believes in and any other time I would applaud him. But he is fighting for his job here and it doesn’t take much for the American people to turn against someone. He’s a great President and I wouldn’t want him to lose this election because of his temper.”

“Go for a swim in the hotel pool, Billy, and wind down. Get yourself in a good state of mind to deal this. I’ll take care of your Brat until your ready to.”

Back at the debate hall, Pierce knew he had gone to far, and the buzz of the crowd was muffled out as he pictured the scene of what would be waiting for him when he got back to the hotel. He looked over at the shocked, expression on his opponent’s face and then he heard the clapping of the audience. He heard the monitor giving the closing remarks and, before he knew it, the Secret Service was whisking him away to the waiting limousine.

The ringing of the phone on his nightstand brought him back into the present. He picked it up to hear the warm friendly voice of his Secretary of State at the other end of the line.

“Hey, Mr. President, how you holding out?”

“Better that some of them down stairs. I think Dad is ready to have a heart attack every time the results of a new exit poll are released.”

“Ha..Ha…Ha…I hear ya. Look, I think it’s a shoe in. I mean after all you won all of the major states including Florida and so far, it looks good in Ohio.”

“Yes…after that second debate I wasn’t sure how things would turn out.”

“That was some night alright and I’ll never forget the look on your face as you stuck your head in through the door leading to the Presidential Suite looking for Walker and the relief in your eyes when you saw me there instead of him.”

“Ya, well that relief didn’t last long, did it? Remember how you told me I better get ready for the spanking of my life as Billy came through the door and asked you to leave the room. I remember thinking I should throw my arms around your legs to prevent you from leaving, but knew that would only make matters worse, so with a heavy heart I watched you exit to find myself alone with my Top.”

“You paid the price for your disobedience, didn’t you?”

“You know I did, ‘cause I know Billy told you he used a hairbrush on me instead of his hand.”

“Yes, we did discuss it. We discuss a lot of things concerning our Brats. It gives us support to know we are doing the right thing for the two Brats we love.”

“That brush sure hurt…and Billy didn’t hold back. After you left, he ordered me to undress and bend over the big chair in the corner. I didn’t even try to argue with him. I knew I broke his number one rule of disobedience so I did what I was told. He told me he was going to use the brush because after all the preparation and practice and warnings he gave me I still went ahead and did the exact opposite of what I was told to do. I’m telling you Tom, I thought Billy’s hand hurt me, but that brush was worse. He hit me twenty-five times, hard. He didn’t hold anything back. He only stopped when I yelled out for mercy and forgiveness. I was crying and screaming so loud, I was amazed the Secret Service didn’t come running in.”

“Billy probably sent them away from your door.”

“Probably…anyway…when it was over he took me on his lap and rocked me until I stopped crying. We discussed the debate a little while longer and then he gave me a bath and put me to bed for a short nap. We weren’t due to leave for the airport for another four hours so we had time to cuddle and recover.”

“Well, I know that discipline worked and you learned your lesson because after that, every time the topic came up you were cautious with your reply.”

“That debate also helped me in other ways, Tom.”

“What do you mean, Mr. President?”

“I’ll tell you later. Right now I think I better let you go and see what’s going on down stairs.”

When Pierce came down stairs it was very obvious he had won Ohio. His parents were hugging each other and Walker was opening a bottle of Champaign. Everyone was hollering and cheering taking in the sweet taste of victory. All became silent, however, as they spotted Pierce standing in the doorway. As one, they all broke out in applause. Pierce moved into the room and, after kissing his wife on the cheek, he worked his way around the room. His father gave him a warm embrace, while his mother, never one to show affection, just gave him a squeeze on the arm. When Pierce came to Walker, they moved into each others arms for a short hug of victory. Elizabeth Pierce, however, noticed the knowing look that passed between them and smile to herself as her suspicions were acknowledged.

“Mr. President,” Amanda Williams, the Chief of Staff, stated. “The press are waiting in the East Wing for a statement.”

“Fine, go tell them I’ll be ready in thirty minutes, okay.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Walker held a note pad out and motioned to the door leading to the private study.

“I’ve written down a few notes, that could be included in your victory speech. Maybe we should take a few minutes to go over them.”

“That’s a great idea, Bill. Everyone enjoy the bubbly and we’ll be back shortly.”

As soon as they were together the two men flew into each others arms, tongues intertwined in a hot passionate kiss. Walker let his hand stray down to Pierce’s already erect penis and gave it a small teasing squeeze.

“Ohhh, Billy. I need you so much, please take me.”

“You know we can’t do that now, Slugger. It will have to wait until this weekend when we’re alone.”

“I don’t think I can wait that long. Please, Billy, please give me pleasure.”

Walker gave a small laugh at his Brat’s impatience as he slowly undid his zipper and took out Pierce’s erect member and began moving his hand up and down in a slow steady pace, all the while the couple kept kissing with deep passion. When Pierce knew his time was close he placed his head in Walker’s neck to smother the sound of the loud groan of ecstasy that escaped his throat.

“OH God, Billy, that was great! I needed that so bad. God, I love you so much!”

“I love you too, Slugger, and remember they’ll be more of that this weekend.”

“What about you, don’t you need some release?”

“I’ll get mine tonight when I relive this scene in my mind. Now I think you better clean yourself off and get ready to meet the press.”

Pierce did as he was told and after a final inspection from Walker, to make sure there weren’t no stains or drips on the front of the President’s pants, the two men rejoined the victory party and as a group made their way to the East Room.

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The victory speech went well and after a few questions it was over. Everyone was exhausted, so the party broke up. Williams and Walker left for their own residence while Pierce’s parents made their way to the Lincoln Bedroom. The First Couple were right behind them, making their way to their private suite. Removing his tie, Pierce looked over at his wife.

“Betts, you don’t have to sleep here if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“I don’t think I’m the one who will feel uncomfortable. Admit it, Bobby, you’d rather have Bill Walker in your bed than me!”

Pierce just starred at his wife in total shock amazement, but she didn’t give him time to reply.

“Listen, Bobby, we both know our marriage is one of convenience. We don’t love each other anymore. I’m not sure we ever did. You needed a wife to make you look good in the public eye and I wanted power and all the prestige that comes with it. I received that first as a Senator’s wife then as the First Lady, but the novelty quickly wore off and, to tell you the truth, I’m pretty sick of it. I’m asking you for a divorce. I’ve wanted one for awhile now but held off until after election. Now that you’ve won, there’s nothing stopping us.”

Pierce let himself fall into the giant chair that made up the corner of the suite and he took in everything his wife was telling him.

“Look, Bobby, I’ve had my suspicions for along time now that you were gay and seeing you with Walker tonight and the way you looked at each other just confirmed it. To be honest with you, I’m in love with someone else myself. One of my secret service agents and I fell in love and we’ve been having an affair for the past three years. We have to start being true to ourselves and live the way we want to, not the way the public wants us to.”

“Oh, Betts, I never meant to hurt or deceive you.”

“I know that, Bobby, but now it’s time to move on. I don’t want or expect anything from you so the divorce should be quick and simple. I’ve already had my lawyer draw up the papers.”

After taking a few moments to absorb all that was said, Pierce came to the conclusion his wife was right. He had to stop living a lie and get on with his life.

“That’s fine, Betts. I’ll contact my lawyer in the morning and have him contact yours and we can start the proceedings, but can we wait until after the Inauguration to announce it to the press?”

“That will fine with me, but what about you coming out?”

“First, I’m going to have to discuss things with Billy, because that will affect him as well. Then I’ll tell my parents and cabinet members over the holidays.”

“I know it won’t be easy, Bobby, but I want you to know you’ll always have my support and if you ever need a soft shoulder, you can always give me a shout.”

“I appreciate that, Betts. Now let’s get some sleep. You take the bed and I’ll make myself comfortable on the sofa.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, sleep in the bed with me. I promise I won’t try and take advantage of you.”

Pierce laughed out loud at his wife’s sense of humor and after undressing and putting on a pair of pajamas, which he hardly wore, tried to make himself comfortable. Before they turned out the lights, Pierce informed his wife that he would tell his parents about the divorce over breakfast. She agreed that was a wise decision.

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He didn’t get much sleep as he kept rehearsing in his mind how he was going to break the divorce news to his parents. As the four of them were enjoying their first cup of coffee, Pierce cleared his throat and began to speak.

“Mother, Dad, Betts and I have some news for you. We’ve decided it would be the best thing for us to divorce.”

His father didn’t say much; he just nodded but his mother went ballistic.

“Divorce, divorce, are you crazy? No President has ever divorced while in the White House and our family will not be the first to go down in history for that. What will everyone say at the country club? I will be the laughing stock of everyone. No, I will not allow it! It is not possible, end of discussion!”

Pierce’s well-known temper began to get the best of him as he answered his mother.

“Listen to me, Mother. I am 47 years old and the time has long past when you can run my life. I’ve stood by for too long and allowed you to mold me into what you thought I should be, so you could climb your social ladder. But, as Betts and I discussed last night, we have to be true to ourselves and remaining in this marriage is the wrong thing for the both of us. We’ve both moved on.”

“Moved on, moved on, poppy cock! Just buckle down and live with it! You can keep things the way they are for the next four years, then you can get a divorce if you so desire, because no one will care then.”

Realizing his mother wasn’t getting the message, Pierce decided to take it the final step.

“Mother, we’ve moved on. Period! Betts is in love with another man and to be honest with you, so am I.”

There was stunned silence as Margaret Pierce took that pierce of information in. Then she became pale and grabbed her husband as a slow wail came out of her mouth.

“Now, Robert. You’re just saying that to hurt me. That’s not true and you know it.”

“No, Mother, it’s true! I’ve known for along time now, but kept it to myself. Now it’s time to come out and be who I was meant to be.”

Robert Sr. walked over to his son and took him in his arms for a supportive embrace.

“I’m very proud of you, Son, for being brave enough to finally realize you who are. I love you and will always be there to support you.”

Pierce was very touched at his father’s reaction and a small tear trickled down his cheek. However his mother wasn’t quite finished with her opinion.

“Oh dear Lord! How will I ever be able to show my face in public when it comes out my son is queer? I won’t be able to live it down. Why me? What did I do wrong that made you turn out like this?”

Robert Sr. had had enough of his wife’s tirade.

“Margaret, shut the hell up! This is not about you. It’s about our son. If you can’t except his lifestyle and cut yourself off from him, it will be your loss and you will get no sympathy from me.”

Robert Sr. had never spoken up to his wife like that and it caused President Pierce to smile with pride, that his father had finally found his manhood. Though tears, he heard his mother ask, “Who is this man you are in love with and when are you going to inform the nation that you’re que…ah I mean gay?”

“Who I’m in love with is none of your business at this time. When I decide to come out will be my decision but it will be after the Inauguration, I know that for sure.”

“Well, thank God, for small favors,” Margaret Pierce mumbled then, as another bout of tears overcame her, she ran out of the room.

“I’m sorry, Dad, I guess I didn’t handle that bit of new too well.”

“You did fine, Son. No matter how you told her, she would of reacted the same way. Don’t worry, I’ll deal with your mother. You just take care of yourself.”

“Dad, you didn’t seem too surprised when I broke the news; did you know?”

“No, son, I didn’t know, but I’ve lived long enough and seen enough in my lifetime not to be surprised about anything anymore. The bottom line is I love you, period!” He then left the room to confront his wife. With a small kiss on the cheek, Elizabeth Pierce grabbed a piece of toast and made her way into the den to call her lover to tell him the news of the divorce.

When Pierce was alone, he began to shake and cry, both from relief and fear. What would Billy’s reaction be when he tells him he came out to his wife and parents before discussing it with him. Would he be angry? Would there be discipline in his future? Well, it was too late now. The secret was out! It was time he faced the music and he better not wait until the weekend. He picked up the phone and dialed his Vice-President’s private number.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Billy, ah, it’s me. I think we better talk. I….I….” Pierce began to cry.

Thinking his Brat was hurt or something, concern was evident in Walker’s voice. “Baby, what’s wrong , what happened?”

Trying to control the tears Pierce took a deep breath. “Billy, can you meet me at Camp David? It’s really important we talk. I’ll have Amanda tell the press we’re meeting to go over new cabinet posts, okay?”

Hearing the urgency in his Brat’s voice, Walker agreed to meet him at Camp David in an hour. For Pierce it was a very long hour.

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When Walker walked into the den at Camp David, Pierce didn’t get up to greet him as he usually did. Instead he stayed sitting on the leather sofa. Walker walked swiftly across the room and took his place by his Brat’s side.

“Okay, Slugger, what is it? What did you do?”

“Well, first off let me start by telling you, Elizabeth and I have decided to divorce. It was a mutual decision, and by the way she knows about us. I didn’t tell her; she suspected all along, but she won’t say anything and I trust her. Then…then…when I told my parents about it….Mom went ballistic….and my temper got the best of me and I let her know I was gay and that I was in love with another man.”

Pierce waited to see Walker’s reaction. He didn’t have to wait long.

“You did what? Before discussing it with me!”

“I know, Billy, but I didn’t tell them it was you I was in love with. Honest, I wouldn’t do that to you, Billy. I wasn’t even going to tell them I was gay, but Mother was talking about not allowing me to divorce and how it would look to her friends and I couldn’t take it anymore. I….I…. My father is very supportive, if that means anything.”

“Are you going to come out to everyone now?”

“Yes, I have to, Billy. I’m tired of living a lie. You don’t have to be involved in this at all. You have to come to your own decision when you want to come out. I won’t put any pressure on you. I’m going to tell the cabinet before the Inauguration, then I think I’ll come out at the State of the Union Address.”

“It sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”

“I have, Billy. I was going to discuss this with you this weekend, but circumstances have played my hand a little sooner than expected. All I’m asking for, is your support and love.”

“You’ll always have that, Slugger, but I’m a little upset right now and I need time to absorb it all. So let’s leave it until this weekend and we’ll talk about it again when I’ve had time to think things through.”

“I’m sorry, Billy. I didn’t mean to lay this on you this way. Please don’t be mad at me.” Pierce began to cry in earnest then at the hurt look on his Top’s face.

“I know you didn’t, Slugger, but like I said let’s just leave it at that for now and we’ll talk again this weekend.” Then after placing a warm kiss on Pierce’s lips, Walker left the compound and made his way to Fletcher’s house.

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Tom Fletcher’s Brat, Jerry Palmer, met the Vice-President at the door.

“Hello, Sir, is the President with you?”

“Not today, Son. Listen is Tom home? I have to discuss something very private with him.”

“Ya, sure, he’s in the computer room playing a war game he’s addicted to. I’ll get him.”

“Thanks and while you’re at it, ask him if it’s okay if you go out for awhile because what I have to discuss with him is very confidential.”

After a few seconds Fletcher made his way into the room with his Brat trailing close behind. He told Walker to go into the den and make himself comfortable. He then proceeded to give his Brat some money so he could take his friend Michael out for a movie and dinner. After kissing Jerry good-bye, Fletcher made his way into the den.

He sat in silence as Walker told him the whole story about Pierce coming out to his parents and how he had reacted. He told Tom he felt guilty about his reaction but his Brat’s actions took him by surprise. He also confessed to Fletcher he was scared and wasn’t sure he was ready to come out as well.

“Look, Bill, the President reassured you that he wouldn’t implicate you when he comes out to the public and you know you can trust him about that. You’ll just have to be more cautious when you get together.”

“I’m really proud of him, Tom. It took guts to stand up to that old bag of mother of his the way he did and I know it will take a lot of guts to stand up in front of the cameras and come out to the world. I love him very much. I guess I was just a little upset that he didn’t need me to make the decision, he was his own man.”

“Come on, Bill, you know he’s always been his own man.”

“I know. I guess I’m going have to come to the fact that my little Brat is growing up.”

Fletcher began to laugh and finally, so did Walker. He felt a whole lot better now and he knew what he had to do. It was about time he took that big step and came out as well. He would tell his Brat that this weekend and together they would make the decision on how to let the secret out.

The End