Authors note- this is my first MSec FanFiction so be kind, AU, Bess and Henry meet later in life and love ensues. for a while I didn't like fics where they didn't know each other because they are perfect and the thought of them not having all that time made me sad, but what the hell. After reading this you can read some fluff to cheer yourself up, I know I will.

The first chapter isn't that long but it's more of an intro to what the story is with a bit of explanation. The next one will be henry and a bit longer. enjoy.

disclaimer: I don't own Madam Secretary, only my own characters, if I did, I would find out what is going to happen in season 3 immediately


Elizabeth willed her eyes to stay open for just a little while longer, she had been reading a report on "China's GDP growth summary" and it was, in fact, more boring than it sounds, if that's possible. At that moment, Blake came in to ask if it she needed anything. Elizabeth jumped, looking at the clock seeing the glowing numbers read 12:47.

"Blake, it's late, I thought you'd gone home hours ago, what are you still doing here?"

"you're here, I'm here ma'am"

"well, while I appreciate the sentiment, I can barely stay awake, so I'm going home, I should have enough time to kiss my kids and get 4 hours of sleep. Ah the life of a public servant." She sighed with a resigned smile.

"I could probably push your meeting with the Armenian ambassador to half 8"

"thanks Blake, I'd appreciate it, then I could at least see my kids while they're awake before they go to their dads for the weekend." Elizabeth packed up her folders, putting the necessary reading in her briefcase while Blake got her coat out of the closet and helped her put it on.

"goodnight Blake, go home, and thanks for everything today." She patted his shoulder as she walked past and down the hallway to the bed that was calling her name.

"no problem Madam Secretary."

...

Elizabeth had gotten married right out of college to a guy from her economics class, it had been great in the beginning, typical young love, then she moved with him to New York, and it was fine… not great, but fine, she missed her horses and her family home in Virginia but she wanted to make the marriage work and prove wrong the naysayers. So it was off to New York where John had been offered a place at a very prestigious law school. Elizabeth had never really been interested in business law, sure she'd taken Law classes at UVA and found it interesting to learn about criminal and social law but that wasn't nearly as dry as mergers and stocks. So when the CIA approached her she was all too happy to move back to Virginia, telling herself that seeing John on weekends was bearable and that lots of people make the long distance thing work. It had caused many arguments, but she was committed to making a difference in the world and felt that this was her chance.

It was right after she got to Langley that she found out she was pregnant with Stevie. John moved to Virginia to be with his wife and child, and a few years later there was Allison. It was right after Allison was born that John began seeming distant. And a month later, and bit of spycraft from Elizabeth, she found out about the affair, with the paediatrician of all people. Needless to say, she filed for divorce a week later, after many arguments where John refused to take responsibility for what he had done.

So he moved back to New York and became very successful at his job, and very unsuccessful at being a father becoming less and less helpful or involved, all the while managing to seem like the good guy. But the Girls got by with a committed mother and her multitude of work friends who pitched in.

...

It was 1:15 by the time she got to her Georgetown house, it was a true family home, or at least that's what she called it to avoid calling it a bomb site. Clothes and shoes and books and electronics everywhere. And there seemed to always be some dishes lying around, even though everyone tried to pull their weight and clean every so often. It had been better lately, since Stevie was back from college for the summer and had no summer job so was spending her time keeping the house in check. Elizabeth had considered getting a maid, now that there was a little more disposable income, but neither her nor Allison wanted a stranger going through their things, plus with her job, they would have to be thoroughly vetted and have to be searched regularly, and it just seemed like a scandal waiting to happen, all Elizabeth had to do was leave the wrong file out on her desk and they could have another Edward Snowden situation on their hands. No, it was better to just live with a little bit of mess.

Elizabeth kicked off her shoes and sighed in satisfaction, whoever invented heels could go screw themselves. She saw a pizza box on the kitchen side and went to go grab a slice to take upstairs. Blake had thought to get her dinner, but that was 6 hours ago and her stomach was reminding her of that fact.

Cracking open the door to her eldest daughter's room, she tiptoed over and gave her a kiss, frankly, she was surprised Stevie was asleep so early, she had turned slightly nocturnal at college, but she seemed to be returning to normality finally. Elizabeth then went to Allison's room, opening the door to find her little bookworm asleep hunched over her desk with the light on and her history books open in front of her. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile, padding over to the sleeping form and gently rubbing her shoulder. Allison blinked awake

"Hi mom, what time is it?"

"it's late, how long have you been studying?"

"I don't know, I had a break for some dinner, Stevie ordered pizza" she mumbled as her mother helped tuck her into bed

"I saw. Sweet dreams my beautiful girl, love you"

"love you too mom."

And with that she dozed off, Elizabeth watched her for a moment before turning to shut off the desk light and moving into her own bedroom and heading off to sleep herself, but not before making the alarm was set for the morning.


so yeah, let me know what you think, but read chapter 2 before you make up your mind ;)