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bradygirl_12Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: Adam Flint/Libby Kingston, Frank Arcaro/Adam Flint, John F. Kennedy/Jacqueline Kennedy
Fandom: Naked City
Genres: Angst, Drama, Historical
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: A new decade. A new President. Will there be a new beginning for Frank and Adam, too?
Original DW/LJ Date Of Completion: March 8, 2025
Original DW/LJ Date Of Posting: March 14, 2025
Disclaimer; I don't own 'em, Screen Gems does, more's the pity.
Original DW/LJ Word Count: 2985
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
The entire series can be found here.
A decade
Dawns anew.
Bright,
Shining,
Bold.
Words of silver,
Days of gold.
Could anything
Be possible?
Jack Medford
"All Hail The 1960s!"
1961 C.E.
"Come in, come in to my humble abode."
Libby made a theatrical sweep of her arm as Adam and Frank came into her apartment. Adam kissed her cheek.
"And bearing gifts!"
"Beer and cupcakes from Martelli's Bakery," Frank said cheerfully.
"Can't go wrong with Italian."
"Never." Frank beamed.
Libby and Adam grinned. He and Frank put their bags on the kitchen counter.
"I see you're already starting the burgers," Adam said.
"Grade-A ground beef from Pilewski's," Libby said.
"Best butcher around," Frank opined.
"With my secret ingredient, the best burgers," Libby said.
The TV was on. The Capitol Building gleamed in the winter sunlight. Thousands of people were packed in front of the viewing stand, mounds of cleared snow glistening as the sky was clear.
"If this was a color TV the sky would be bright blue," Adam said.
"Always after a storm. Imagine Washington getting a blizzard!" Libby began kneading the ground beef.
"Magical," Adam said dreamily.
It was Frank's turn to exchange grins with Libby. Adam's admiration of JFK was no secret.
"Fits a New England President," said Frank.
"It does, doesn't it?" Adam said happily.
He and Frank emptied the bags, putting the beer and dessert in the refrigerator and a giant bag of chips on the counter.
Libby hummed as she kneaded the beef, pausing to add a dash of Worcestershire sauce, then a few minutes later adding ketchup. Frank's eyes lit up at the inclusion of ketchup. One of his favorite things!
"Adam, dear, could you chop up the onions?" Libby was really into working the beef.
"Sure, honey."
As Adam began chopping, Frank felt a little uneasy. He wished he could feel completely comfortable around Libby, but the situation was awkward, to say the least. They got along well, but that would change if Libby ever found out whom Adam really loved.
Oh, well, that's Adam's call, not mine.
"Can I help, Lib?" Frank asked.
"Yes, get the French fries out of the freezer and get them ready for the oven."
"Frozen?"
Libby nodded. "I got them at the deli a few days ago and froze 'em to keep 'em fresh."
"Oh, man, Libby, I love you. Jacob's Deli is the best."
Libby laughed. "Thanks, Frank. Coming from you, that's a high compliment."
"Frank knows his food," Adam said affectionately.
"Damned right I do. So what's your secret ingredient, Lib?"
"Oh, honey, if I told you that, it wouldn't be a secret anymore."
She added onions to the beef mixture once Adam chopped them up.
Frank put the French fries in a round pan. He took out a bottle of Heinz ketchup from the bag he had brought. "Just in case you didn't have any," he said as Libby looked at him inquisitively.
"Well, I am getting low," she said with a laugh. She began making patties and putting them on a cookie sheet.
"The ceremony should start on time," said the TV commentator.
"I figure we can watch the swearing-in and speech while the burgers cook. The fries go in later as they just need warming up." She nodded toward the refrigerator. "If you want tomato slices, there's a beefsteak tomato in the crisper. I've got jars of pickles and French's mustard on the counter for condiments."
"And ketchup," said Frank as he waved the bottle of Heinz.
"Oh, yes, ketchup," teased Libby.
Adam got out the beefsteak tomato and a head of lettuce while Frank took out the hamburger buns and arranged them on paper plates. Adam put the lettuce and tomato slices on the buns.
"The dignitaries are starting to filter out to the viewing stand."
"You boys take a seat on the couch. I'm almost finished here," said Libby.
Adam and Frank took their seats on the comfortable couch and watched the VIPs come outside in the bitter cold and take their own seats. The treasured American ritual of the peaceful transfer of power had begun.
"Now this is the way it should be," Frank said.
"You mean no one storms the steps of the Capitol?" Adam said.
"Nah, that's loser stuff. Not to mention Fascist."
Adam nodded. It was a point of pride for Americans to observe the peaceful transfer of power. The United States of America was no banana republic. No coup d'etats allowed. No assassinations to forcibly change regimes. It worked, thank heavens.
Libby put the burgers in the oven and scrubbed her hands. She came into the living room and sat on the couch.
Frank noticed that he and Libby were bookending Adam in the middle.
Fitting, I suppose.
if Adam noticed, he didn't indicate it. He probably hadn't noticed, since his attention was totally focused on the TV.
"There's LBJ," he said.
"And Jackie," said Libby. "Wow, she's very stylish with that pillbox hat."
"She seems very stylish all the time," said Frank
"Good observation, Frank. She's going to be a big influence on fashion. Mamie Eisenhower and Bess Truman were matronly. Eleanor was more interested in causes than clothes." Libby leaned forward. "Women are going to study Jackie."
"More than men?"
Libby smirked. "Frank, dear, women dress for other women, not men."
"Good to know."
Adam shook his head while Libby and Frank shared a grin.
None of them had dressed up today. No suits and ties for Adam and Frank. They both wore dark casual pants and loafers. Adam wore a white shirt with a V-necked red pullover sweater and Frank wore a deep-blue ski sweater patterned with snowflakes.
Libby wore black Capri pants and a royal-blue turtleneck sweater with threads of silver. Her blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore black flats. A simple silver necklace was her only jewelry besides her watch.
The swearing-in was appropriately solemn, and then President John F. Kennedy took the podium and began to speak, addressing the dignitaries and launching into his speech.
"We observe today not as a victory of party but a celebration of freedom--"
Very statesmanlike, Frank thought.
"Love his accent," said Libby.
Adam smiled. He was relaxed but intently focused on the speech.
"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--"
Frank was liking this speech. He was glad he had voted for Kennedy.
Frank was not a man who voted the straight party ticket or even the same party every election. He preferred to weigh the merits of each individual candidate regardless of party.
Still, he felt more comfortable with Democrats. He had voted for FDR all four times and had voted for Truman in '48, liking the man's scrappiness against long odds. In '52 he had gone Republican because he figured as a military man, Ike could figure out how to end the Korean War. In '56 he had vacillated between Ike and Adlai, finally choosing Ike again.
In 1960, Vice President Nixon had much more international experience than the junior Senator from Massachusetts, but he had liked Kennedy's stump speeches. When he watched the first Presidential TV debate on September 26, 1960, Frank had been impressed by how Kennedy had handled himself, cool and confident. Poor ol' Nixon had looked shifty and sweaty.
Finally, Frank was tired of Catholicism being a barrier to the Presidency. He had voted with pride for a fellow Catholic on November 8th.
"--that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty."
Sunlight glinted off JFK's thick, reddish-brown hair as his New England accent rang clear and strong in the frosty January air.
Frank glanced at Adam, whose hazel eyes were shining and a smile curving his lips. His entire being was reveling in the words of his hero.
Libby was enthralled, too, her blue eyes watching the screen attentively. The torch had indeed been passed to their generation.
The speech was lofty but not pretentious. It excited the blood. Could the 1960s truly be the start of something new? Frank listened and hoped.
"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."
Frank knew that would be the signature phrase of this Inaugural Address. It was brilliant.
The speech ended soon after this ringing declaration and all three observers applauded with the crowd.
"Wow," Adam said as he leaned back against the couch.
"Good stuff," said Frank.
Libby went to the kitchen and put the French fries in the oven to warm up. The dignitaries went inside the Capitol for lunch.
The table was set in the kitchen. The open design still allowed them to see the TV. People either dispersed to get their own lunch or get positions to watch the parade.
After the fries warmed up, Libby delivered the plates to the table. Condiments were added to burgers and fries and the trio began to eat.
"Mmm, Lib, your homemade burgers are the best," said Frank.
"Thanks, Frank."
Frank added more ketchup to the French fries as Adam and Libby grinned.
"That was a great speech," Adam said.
"I agree." Libby opened the bag of potato chips and put some in a bowl. "JFK has good writing skills. I read that he worked as a reporter after the war."
"I read that, too."
"I suppose like a good actor he has a scriptwriter, or, speechwriter."
Frank listened as he ate. He was sure that he tasted a zing of hotness in the burger. Cayenne pepper? Mexican pepper? Curry?
"Do you agree, Frank?" Adam asked.
"Huh?"
"What did you think of the address?"
"Oh, exemplary." Frank took a handful of chips from the bowl. "Probably one of the best ever delivered."
"Better than FDR's 'Fear Itself' speech?"
"Both are great in different ways."
"True. Different circumstances." Adam poured ketchup over his fries and added pepper as Frank had done. Libby noticed, hiding her smile.
"You know, I doubt they're eating this good at the Capitol luncheon," Frank said, regarding one of the hand-cut French fries with approval.
"You're probably right," said Adam jovially.
"Beats rubber chicken."
They took their time eating lunch and then cleaned up. They took fresh beers and cupcakes into the living room. The cupcakes were strawberry-pink with white frosting and blue sprinkles in honor of the Inauguration. The parade began.
The marching bands and floats were festive. One float was a replica of the PT-109, Jack Kennedy's boat during World War II.
"He's the only President with a Purple Heart," Adam said proudly.
"I read about when his boat was sliced in half by a Japanese destroyer in Reader's Digest," said Frank, careful unpeeling the wrapper from his cupcake.
"I thought that was in The New Yorker," Libby said with a frown.
"Both."
"He earned that Purple Heart," said Adam. "He led the survivors of his crew to eventual safety, harrowing as it was."
"Some of his men are on the float," observed Libby.
"Loyal forever," Frank said.
"Good quality for a crew to have."
"Partners, too."
They exchanged a smile and Libby drank her beer. She was in the middle of the couch this time and put her bottle down on a coaster on the coffee table.
"I see some black faces in the military parts of the parade," she said.
"Could be a new era for civil rights." Frank finished his cupcake.
"That's pretty exciting." Adam took a bite of his cupcake.
Frank hoped so. And speaking of civil rights, there were rumblings in England of decriminalizing homosexuality. Could that happen here, or was it pie-in-the-sky?
He sighed quietly. He could daydream about marrying Adam, but it was never going to happen. There were still plenty of states in this country that didn't allow black/white heterosexual marriages! He couldn't see society accepting two men taking their vows at the altar.
Libby got up to get another beer. Adam leaned forward. "You okay, Frank?"
"Yeah, sure."
"You look sad."
Frank shrugged. "Just having a moment."
Adam gently punched his friend's shoulder. "You'll be fine."
"Gimme more ketchup and I'm a happy man.'"
Adam laughed as Libby paused behind the couch, taking a swig of cold beer. The camera panned to the new President enjoying the parade.
"Careful, Frank, Adam's in love. Our new President has caught his eye."
Frank laughed. "I'll keep an eye on him, Lib."
"You'd better. Wouldn't want your boyfriend to be mooning over another man, though admittedly, Jack Kennedy is a looker."
Frank felt his stomach knot. Was Libby just joking, or...? He could see that Adam had gone pale.
"He is handsome," Frank said.
"Just Adam's type, right, Adam dear?" There was an edge to her voice that put both men on alert. Libby took another swig. Was she drunk?
Neither man spoke, unsure of what to say. Libby smirked and walked around the couch, sitting down between them. A marching band crossed the television screen.
"C'mon, now, boys, you think I'm blind? I admit I was slow on the uptake, considering my theatrical background. I know the signs of a homosexual. You guys are good."
Frank could feel his body go cold. So Libby knew. The question was, what was she going to do about it?
Adam looked completely stricken. He was as motionless as a marble statue.
"You must be angry." Frank managed to push the words out of a dry throat.
"You bet I'm angry!" Blue eyes sparked at Frank. "Not at you so much. It wasn't your place to come clean. You, on the other hand..." Libby turned to face Adam with a glare.
Adam winced. Frank instinctively felt the urge to protect him, but jumping in now would be a disaster.
"I was so angry after I figured things out that I wanted to punch you in the nose," said Libby. "That was a crappy thing to do to me, pretending to be my boyfriend while romancing your partner."
Frank foresaw the end of their police careers if Libby went to their superior, Lieutenant Mike Parker. A band played merrily on the TV.
Adam swallowed hard. He could have really used a swig of beer but remained motionless.
"But then I cooled down, and thought about things. I realized you kind of fell into things with me, and then didn't know how to get out of it."
Frank hoped he was hearing correctly. Was that sympathy in Libby's voice?
Adam spoke. "Libby," he croaked. He cleared his throat. "I am so sorry."
"I know." Definitely sympathy. "If I didn't believe that, I'd kick your rear end out of here." She sighed. "I know the guilt was eating you up, Adam." She touched his hand. "Apology accepted."
"I'm sorry, too, Lib," said Frank, wanting to know where he stood.
Libby turned to face him. "Apology accepted." She squeezed his hand.
Relief flooded Frank, and Adam looked ready to pass out.
"I'll be happy to be your cover until I meet a new boyfriend," Libby said.
"You would do that for us?" Frank asked curiously.
"Well, Frank, the way I see it is, I have plenty of actor friends to attend art gallery shows and Off-Broadway plays, but if I want to go to a baseball game or the opening of a new restaurant, I'd need friends like you and Adam. Sure, I can go to a poetry reading with Adam, but if a new Italian restaurant opens, I need your expert opinion." She smiled. "I don't want to lose your friendship, either of you."
Both men were touched. Adam reached out and grasped her hand. "We don't want to lose your friendship, Libby. You're special."
Libby's smile brightened and she hugged Adam.
They turned their attention back to the TV and enjoyed the parade.
A short while later Frank excused himself to use the bathroom. When he was done and washing his hands at the sink, he regarded his reflection in the mirror. Not young anymore but good enough to win a beauty like Adam.
He hoped that Libby was sincere and not just setting them up for a Gotcha! blow. He shook his head as he turned off the faucet.
Curse of the cop.
Being suspicious was second nature to him after all these years on the force. Libby would not do such a thing. She was a good person. He had been able to observe her up close for a long time and his instincts trusted her.
He stopped at the kitchen on his way back. "Anyone want a fresh beer?"
"I do," said Adam.
"Still working on this one," Libby said.
Frank put a hand on the refrigerator handle and noticed his bottle of ketchup on the kitchen counter. He decided to put it away for Libby.
He opened the cabinet and put the bottle inside. He saw a tin labeled 'Hot Paprika' and grinned, taking it out.
So this is the secret ingredient!
He knew that mild paprika was more commonly sold but you could find hot if you looked hard enough. His mother used both.
He was about to announce his discovery when Libby patted Adam's arm and laughed.
Nah, Libby's going to keep our secret so I'll keep hers.
He put the tin back and closed the cabinet. Getting the beers, he returned to the living room after using the church key to open the bottles. He handed Adam his bottle and sat down. He took a deep sip as another float passed by on TV.
New beginnings for everyone.
__________
"There are eight million stories in the Naked City. This has been one of them."
This story can also be read on AO3.
Crossposts: https://bradygirl-12.livejournal.com/1589348.html
