Authors's note: Hello! This is my first "Commander in Chief" fanfic (so far I have only written "Friends" fanfics). I'm a very huge fan of this show and now I came out with this idea for a fanfic that I hope you'll all enjoy.
Just a couple of things you should know: This story takes place six months after "Ruby Dubidoux and the Brown Bound express"… it will be set during the year 2015 (assuming that the pilot is really set during the year 2014 like I read in a web site) but the twist is that Rod took the job in NY and he is now the Commissioner of Baseball. Mac just started the race for the reelection and, against all odds, it seems like she is going to win. Becca and Horace are Seniors in high school and Amy is seven years old. Jim, Vince, Kelly and Dickie are still in Mac's staff. Kate Allen is still living in the White House and Nathan Templeton is… well… he is still Nathan.
WARNINGS: at the moment I started writing this story, only the first 9 episodes had been aired in my country, so I still hadn't seen anything after "The mom who came to dinner"… that means that (at least during the first chapters of this story) I will ignore everything that happened after chapter 9. I will also pretend that the problem with the "Exess Military Base" didn't happen when it happened in the show…it will happen in the moment this fic takes place. (and the same goes to the problem with the woman on dead row). But don't worry… I think everything will be clearer when you read the story.
Another thing… I won't write much (if nothing) about the political stuff… this story will be focused almost entirely in the family problems.
Well… I think that's all you need to know for now. I hope you enjoy reading this and, please, send me some reviews.
Disclaimer: the characters do not belong to me they belong to Touchstone television and the creator of Commander-In-Chief Mark Laurie. Everything here is fictional.
Against all oddsChapter 1:
Locked feelings dieing to get out.
The White House… year 2015. Inside the presidential bedroom.
Rod was very busy packing some of his clothes. Once again, he had to spend the weekend in New York because of his job. Ever since he had became the Baseball Commissioner he had spend almost every weekend in New York and sometimes he was forced to stay even longer. He really hated being away so much, he missed his family a lot, but he loved his new job and now people respected him more, so he was happier because of that… was he?
Suddenly, Mac, who entered in the bedroom, interrupted his thoughts. She was smiling, but her smile faded when she saw Rod's suitcases.
Mac- oh no! You have to go again! So soon?
Rod- sorry honey… I can't help it.
Rod hated doing this to her. During the six months he had been away so much that it was like he had left her alone with the weigh of being the President of the United States on her shoulders. Not to mention that she was fighting the battle of the re-election. For the first time in their marriage Rod wasn't there for her. But he reminded him self that Mackenzie didn't want him to be there in the way that Rod would have wanted to be there. Rod had refused to be just "The secretary of pillow talks" or "The secretary of making her breakfast" (like someone called him once) and Mac had refused to give him another position. Now they both had to deal with it.
Mac- But you just came back… you came back four days ago and I barely saw you…
Rod- I know… I hate this too honey…
Mac- How long will you be in New York this time?
Rod- four days…Mac successfully fought the tears that almost fell from her eyes while she watched Rod packing the last of his stuff. She hated her self for doing this… she was a strong, intelligent and independent woman… and she was suppose to be the most powerful person in the world… What was she doing whining because her husband wasn't around so much?
Rod- ok… I'm done… I should go now…He hugged Mac and kissed her softly on the lips. Then he took his suitcases and left.
Now that Rod was gone Mac felt free to lay in the bed and cry. She seldom cried, and obviously she never cried in front of people and she had never cried over her marriage so far… but this situation was getting over her strengths. It's been six months of barely seeing each other; six months of living separate lives and pursuing so different interest. They still loved each other and they tried to enjoy and make the best of the little time they had together… but Mac knew her marriage wouldn't survive a whole year like this… maybe it wouldn't even survive another month. So, in her bedroom, where no one could see her, Mac hugged Rod's pillow and cried for everything she felt and couldn't say, for everything she should have said and done but didn't because of her pride, for things she didn't even know she was feeling and for the huge mistake she made six months ago…
Flashback: six months ago.
It was 10 days before Thanksgiving Day of the year 2014. Kelly found a video of Nathan Templeton making racist comments, Vince bravely told everybody he was gay and had AIDS, a very stupid boy falsely claimed having slept with Becca, Ruby Dubidoux's daughter got into Brown, Jayne got fired and Mac and Rod's marriage started going in freefall for the very first time in 20 years.
It was very late in the night and Rod was in the residence, waiting nervously for Mac. He had to tell her that he wanted desperately to take the job in New York and now he was waking around the living room. He decided to calm down and sit on the couch to watch some TV while he waited… When he turned on the TV he started switching channels. Eventually the mention of his wife called his attention. "Saturday Night Live" was on and it was time for their segment called "Weekend Update"…
Comedian- President Mackenzie Allen made the decision to start giving press conferences weekly and her husband, Rod Calloway, should start giving press conferences as well, otherwise we wouldn't know if the White House's center pieces are made with roses or lilies.
The audience laughed at that joke, and Rod got so upset that he turned off the TV and threw the remote to the other couch. Right after that, Mac entered in the room with a worried expression on her face… She had postponed talking to Rod about his job offer for as long as he could, but now she had to face the uncomfortable talk. She noticed that Rod wasn't so good either.
Mac- hi… I believe we need to talk…
Rod- yes, we do…
Mac took a sit next to him. Very frustrated and tired.
Mac- look Rod… about the job offer you got…Rod- I'm gonna take it, Mac… I thought about it and that's what I really want…
Mac- but you would have to travel to New York a lot...
Rod- I understand it would be difficult… but we'll work it out.
Mac was beginning to panic; it was really going to happen. Rod would really take that job that would keep it in New York most of the time.
Mac- Rod… I really need you here…
Rod- and I really need to be more than just the First Gentleman… now, if I had more than that in here I would gladly stay.
Mac saw where this was going and shook her head.
Mac- I can't give you Jim's job.
Rod- It doesn't have to be Jim's job…
Mac- well… I can't move you to the West Wing at all.
Rod was shocked. He had been sure that if he threatened Mac with going to New York she would finally give him what he really wanted.
Rod- not even when is the only thing you can do to make me stay?
Mac sighed deeply. She thought it was obvious what she thought about this whole issue since she had discussed it with Rod hundredths of times.
Mac- How do you think it would look if the first Female President hired her own husband to be in her staff? Everybody would consider me week… people will think I'm nothing but a girl who can't do anything without her husband holding her hand.
Rod- so what? Who cares about what people think?
Mac thought she was just hearing things. Mr. Rod "I need to be Commissioner of Baseball so people notice how manly I am" Calloway couldn't have possibly said that.
Mac- what!
Rod- look… if you gave me a position in the West Wing I would stay and we would both be happier… can't you see that?
Mac stood up angry and very frustrated.
Mac- right now I can't see anything but your double standard!
Rod- what double standard?
Mac- is wrong for me to care about people considering me "a week girl", but is ok for you to annoy the hell out of everybody because you are a big baby who can't take a few jokes about being the First Gentleman?
Rod weekly and very unconvincingly said…
Rod- it's different…
Mac- yes… the difference is that MY job requires me not only to be incredibly strong but to LOOK incredibly strong in front of others.
Rod- hiring your husband doesn't make you week…
Mac- and being the First Gentleman doesn't make you a woman.
They both sighed very deeply. Mac had her hands in her waist and Rod was holding his head with his hands. Their argument wasn't going anywhere. They both wanted to get their way.
Rod- I know that… the thing is… I need to do something for my own life too. I'm so tired of being ALWAYS one step behind you…
Mac- always? I have only being the President for a few months…
Rod- and what about when the party asked YOU to take a place at the congress? They asked YOU… not me.
Mac rolled her eyes and she was loosing her patience.
Mac- Could you let that go already! It's been 11 years…
Rod- you are right… this isn't about that anyway.
Mac- then why is this about?
Rod- this is about me not being happy with our current situation…
Suddenly an idea that scared the hell out of Mac hit her. She looked suspiciously at Rod and asked.
Mac- Rod… are you leaving me? You want the divorce?
Rod- no! Mac… I just think I would be happier if I were the Commissioner of Baseball… but I still love you, this isn't about US…
To prove that he was telling the truth, he hugged Mac and then kissed her very passionately. They melted in the kiss for a while and when they break it to take some air Mac said…
Mac- I want you to be happy.
Rod- Believe me darling, the job in New York is for the best… and I'll still be here most of the time… it will be like it 's always been…
They kissed some more and then went to the bedroom. After making love passionately Mac looked at him worriedly and hold onto him not wanting to let him go…
Mac- Rod… tell me everything will be ok… tell me WE will be fine…
Rod- we will…
Back to the present … In the situation room.It was a new day. Very early in the morning, Mackenzie Allen was in the situation room. Her Vice President, her Chief of Staff and other member of her staff were there too. They were dealing with the possible closure of a military base in Mackenzie's home state. An independent commission had given a report saying that the closure of the Exess base was completely necessary because keeping it opened was a waste of money. Mac was stunned.
Mac- How did this happen? I mean… Teddy Bridges made a deal that protected that base from a potential closure. This wasn't supposed to happen!Warren Keaton- but unfortunately it did happen.
Mac- I can't let them close that base… all the people who work there would close their jobs and we are talking about people I grew up with. A whole town depends on that base to live for God's sake!
Jim- But, Madame President, if you step in to try to stop the closure and the Base gets closed anyway you would look inefficient… so I think it would be better if you don't step in this at all…
Mac knew that was right. Plus, she couldn't step in to prevent a base's closure just because it was personal to her. That wouldn't be fair.
Mac- so… is better to be inefficient than to seem inefficient? What a town!
Warren Keaton considered it was time to say what everybody seemed to be forgetting.
Warren- Does anyone care that closing the Exess Base might be the best for the country?
Jim- no, you are the only one who cares about what's best for the country, Mr. Vice-President… the rest of us just came here to take notes.
Jim's sarcastic comment wasn't very welcomed but they let it go. After a while, Mackenzie decided to take a little break. She went to the Oval Office to call her husband who was in New York and wouldn't come back until the following morning. She sited in the desk, picked up the phone and dialed the number of Rod's apartment in New York but nobody was there. Very frustrated, Mac decided to go back to her job and talk to Rod later.
The following morning… Oval Office.President Mackenzie Allen was talking to Vince Taylor in her office. She looked gorgeous with a nice blue suit and her hair was looking impeccable as always.
Vince- ma'am President… Mike Stanton is coming this afternoon, as we arranged.
Mac- but my meeting with him won't appear in the agenda… right?
Vince- no, it won't. That has already been taken care off.
Mac- Thank you, Vince.
Vince started to leave, but then he remembered something and turned around.
Vince- oh… and the First Gentleman called. He is not arriving until 5 pm.
Mac's face saddened a little bit.
Mac- but he was supposed to be here right now!
Vince didn't know what to say or how to react to that.
Vince- I don't know what happened, ma'am.
Mac- never mind… I'll call him right now to see what's going on…
Mac was very upset and that was making Vince feel very uncomfortable. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do when it came to her personal problems. He didn't even talk to her about personal things because he felt it would be unprofessional, but since he cared about her as a friend he felt the need to help. If only he knew how…
Vince- if you need me I'll be in my office.
Jim Gardner was heading to the Oval office, but he decided to drop by Vince's office first to make sure that the President wasn't too busy.
Jim- hi Vince… is the president free to talk to me about the Exess issue?
Vince hesitated for a few seconds.
Vince- she is the phone with the First Gentleman… but you better wait to talk to her, she is all upset because he is coming later than he said he would.
Jim rolled her eyes.
Jim- shocking! I'm surprised that he is coming at all… what happened? Did someone remind him that he actually has a family here?
Now it was Vince's turn to roll his eyes.
Vince- look… it's not up to you to judge the First Gentleman.
Jim- no… but we are the ones who have to bear with the President's bad mood because he is neglecting her.
Vince looked at him with curiosity.
Vince- Are you sure you are not the one with the bad mood because you have a crush on her?
Very nervously, Jim looked around to make sure that nobody else listened to that.
Jim- I don't have a crush on her… and for God's sake… shut up!
Vince's laughed at Jim's nervousness.
Vince- We are only ones in this office! Don't worry… No one will know you have a crush on the President… I can keep a secret.
Jim- I do not have "a crush" on her! What is it? Nine grade?
Vince- sorry… no one will know you "are in love" with the President.
Jim was getting tired of Vince accusing him of having romantic feelings for Mackenzie.
Jim- could you stop that already? Is getting annoying…
Vince- whatever! Deny it if you want… is your life. As long as you are very aware that she will never reciprocate your feelings.
Jim- there are no feelings to reciprocate!
Vince- ok then…
However, Vince was sure that Jim was in love with Mac but he was also sure that she was deeply in love with her husband. Vince looked worriedly how Jim walked away and headed to the Oval Office. He shook his head… Jim's crush on Mac had catastrophe written all over it.
To be continued…Please… send me some reviews… tell me what you think.