Chapter Text
“Morning, ma’am.”
“Morning, Roy,” Rebecca replies without looking up from her computer.
“Ambassador Lasso. Do you know much about him?”
Rebecca glances up. Roy is standing in the doorway of her office, an open folder in his hands. She sighs, removing her glasses and rattling off what she’s picked up.
“Let’s see. Former second gentleman to American Vice President Michelle Lasso. Went through a very public, but seemingly amicable divorce. Despite no foreign political experience, he’s recently been made the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Presumably to give the VP space and to allow time for the press to calm down before the next presidential election. He’s unusually popular for someone in politics.” She wrinkles her nose. “Very interesting facial hair choices.”
“Right, well he asked for you,” Roy says, frowning at the folder.
“Excuse me?”
“He asked if you're available.”
“Available for what?”
“Dunno. This just came through.” Roy hands her the folder with a light pink sticky note on top that reads:
Is Rebeeca Welton available?
- Ted Lasso
“Is this a joke?”
Roy shrugs. “I just get the paperwork. Maybe he’s looking for a tour guide.”
She narrows her eyes. “May I remind you I’m your boss.”
Roy puts his hands up in mock surrender.
“Apologies, Ms Welton. But he did ask for you specifically.”
“Right. I can see that. I just don’t understand why an American diplomat is coming to a private security firm when they have a perfectly adequate DDS agent available to them.”
Roy snorts.
“I almost believed you there for a second.”
Rebecca can't hide her smirk. It’s not like Rupert has gotten anyone killed. But he doesn’t have a lot of fans around here. Not anymore.
She slides her glasses back on.
“Fine, set up an appointment for this afternoon.”
Roy gives a small salute before leaving Rebecca to wonder what fresh hell awaits her across town.
***
Ambassador Lasso’s office is sparse, a framed photo on his desk and a single pad of sticky notes by his side. No computer in sight.
He walks out from behind his desk to shake her hand with a wide smile and a solid grip. It’s obviously a well-practiced greeting, but his eyes are far too kind for politics.
Rebecca can see how the American public fell a little bit in love with him. Everything about him screams “unscheduled trip to the ice cream shop.” It gives her a little thrill imagining the trouble he’ll give Rupert.
“Apologies for the sticky note, Ms Welton. I would have sent a more formal memo, but it seems all my office supplies are still on their way.”
He gestures for her to sit before returning to his seat.
“You wanted to speak with me about something?” She asks, settling opposite him.
“I did.” He looks at her seriously. “I was wondering if you were available to help run my security detail.”
It’s the last thing she expects him to say. She’s silent, mouth hanging open as he pulls out a thick packet from a desk drawer.
“You’ve got an impressive record,” he says, flipping through pages of intel. “not that you need me telling you that. Distinctions and honors. More than 20 years with the Secret Intelligence Services. A very daring rescue at an orphanage in an undisclosed location.” He looks up at her, “I’d love to unpack that with you, but I promise I won’t ask. Boundaries and all that.”
Rebecca just stares. She didn’t come here expecting to go through her entire, highly-confidential CV.
“But it says you're retired from fieldwork?” He asks, sounding curious.
She gives the standard answer she’s been using since leaving the service. No need to go into details.
“At my age, well, that’s just what we do around here.”
“Well I want to counter that intelligence with this: that sounds like a load of poppycock. But I do respect if you’re done with all that. It’s real a tough job”
He fiddles with the sticky pad. “It’s just…I have my son coming to stay this summer. Henry. He’s a good kid. Had a bit of a rough year. For his sake, I had to ask for the best.”
It’s a solid pitch.
“No pressure,” he continues, placing the dossier back in the drawer. “That’s all the arm twisting I’m gonna do.”
She has missed being out in the field. Not that she’s let on. It’s complicated. Which leads her to her next question.
“Are you aware that my ex-husband is your local DDS agent?”
“I am. And I understand that might be a deciding factor in all this. But like I said, I had to at least try. What can I say? It’s the dad in me.”
She considers him.
“I’ll think about it.” She surprises herself when the words come out. The whole firm is going to think she’s lost her mind, but she’s intrigued by the man in front of her.
“Of course. Take all the time you need.”
She wasn't expecting him to let her go quite so easily. It's a good tactic and she knows her next words are showing her hand a bit.
“But I do think I’ll need back up when your son is here.”
His eyes light up at that. “I knew I had the right person.”
“Sam Obisanya. He’s a new recruit but extremely promising.” She clocks the photo on Ted’s desk. It’s of him and a boy who she assumes is his son. They’re playing air guitar and jumping on a bed. “He’s very kind. A big music person.”
“Oh Henry will love that.”
She smiles. It would be good to get some high-profile work for her team.
Rebecca stands and reaches across the desk to shake his hand goodbye.
“I’ll get back to you soon, Ambassador Lasso.”
He grips her hand tightly. For the first time she notices he looks tired around the eyes, but there’s something else there. Something that looks a little like relief.
“Please, call me Ted.”
Rebecca leaves his office and immediately texts her one remaining contact at the intelligence agency.
Keeley, can you get me everything you know about United States Ambassador Theodore Lasso?
Only a few seconds pass before she hears back.
on it babe
It gives her a funny thrill she hasn’t felt it in a long time. Not since her early days at the agency.
Maybe Ted Lasso isn’t such a mad notion after all.