A/N: I'm back! I wasn't planning on writing something so soon after Medical Mystery ended but this idea really captured my imagination. I had several people suggest a political themed AU and with the current situation, it seemed only fitting. Please imagine it is 2021 in this fic …

The door closed heavily behind her with a satisfying click. A long, low sigh escaped her as she turned and surveyed her new office. It seemed bigger somehow. Although she had been in the room many times in the past, the new decorations and furniture made it feel immediately homelier than ever before. Oh, how she had lusted after this office for so long. All her life, all her career, she had been working to get here. Everything she had ever done, said, even thought, it had all been to stand in this very spot. And it had finally happened.

She stepped a little further into the room, her heels clacking on the bare wooden floorboards before being silenced when she reached the plush new rug. She weaved between the cream coloured armchair and passed by the three seat couch to her new desk. The dark wood contrasted with the other light furnishings, standing grand in front of the floor to ceiling window beyond. Her fingers trailed over the gleaming wood, tracing over the new plaque which had been engraved with her name. Not that anyone in the world didn't know her name by now. After two years of campaigning, no one was in any doubt to whom this office belonged to. Regina Mills.

There was a knock at the door and Regina sighed. She had been hoping for more than just two minutes to herself before duty beckoned her. But she called out permission for the person to enter and managed a smile when the head of her security team appeared.

"We've completed our search of your new living quarters and you and your family may now move in."

"Thank you, Graham," Regina said. "I'll be through in a few minutes. Who is on shift for the rest of the day?"

"I took the liberty of arranging that honour to be my own, Madam President," Graham said. "I would like to make sure your first night in your new home is a restful one."

Regina smiled. "I doubt I'll be able to switch off after today but thank you, I appreciate that."

"Can I do anything for you, Madam President?" Graham asked.

"No, thank you. I just need a little time to gather my thoughts. I'll be ready in a few minutes."

"Understood," Graham said. "And congratulations once again, Madam President."

Regina couldn't help but smile. After twenty long years in politics, she had finally earned the title she had always dreamed of. Once Graham had disappeared, Regina circled around her desk and sat in the new chair. The height settings were perfect, she realised. How did they know the exact angle she liked to be seated at? She rested her hands on the cool wood once more and surveyed the Oval Office before her.

It really was oval, she mused. A bizarre architectural choice which would frustrate every interior designer who had been given the task of creating an office for the president ever since the White House was built over 200 years ago. Whoever was in charge of Regina's design had done an excellent job. She had a suspicion her former advisor, campaign manager and now Chief of Staff had played a large part in it as the brunette's tastes emanated from every corner. She made a mental note to thank Kathryn when they met the following day.

Sighing when she remembered the colossal number of meetings already scheduled in her new role as the President of the United States, Regina reluctantly got to her feet. She supposed it was time she got to know the residential side of the White House.

As soon as she entered the reception area outside of her office, the newly appointed secretary jumped to her feet.

"There's no need to do that every time, Ashley," Regina said kindly. "I'm going to be walking in and out of this office a lot over the next four years and I suspect you would be far more productive seated."

Ashley blushed. "Yes, Madam President." She sank back into her chair and returned to typing furiously on her computer. Regina wasn't sure what work the woman could possibly be doing since she had not even started her job yet but she was impressed with her work ethic. Turning to Graham who had been standing beside the door to the Oval Office, she nodded her head, indicating she was ready to go to her new home.

During her time as Governor of Maine, Regina had spent plenty of time in the White House but her visits had been limited to a few select areas. The corridors which she now strolled down, following Graham with another body guard bringing up the rear, were new to her. She was going to have to walk around and get her bearings, she realised, as Graham took a right and then a left, confusing Regina to the point where she wasn't sure she would be able to get back to her own office.

At last, they arrived at a non-descript white door. Did everything have to be white in this place? Regina made a mental note to ask if it would be possible to redecorate a little more. The changes to the Oval Office were a good start but she didn't want to be living in a maze of monotonous white corridors for the next four years. Eight, if she was lucky. Graham stepped aside, allowing Regina to be the one to open the door.

"Myself and John will be here all night," Graham said, indicating the large, bearded man who had been walking behind Regina. "There's a red button above your bed and another in the kitchen. If you need anything, call me or hit one of the buttons."

"Expecting trouble?" Regina asked, eyebrows raised.

Graham shook his head. "We've inspected everywhere and this place is perfectly safe. But we're not taking any chances. The first female President of the United States is not going to die on my watch."

Regina's eyes widened. "Die?"

The head of security turned beet red. "I didn't mean that, Madam President," he spluttered. "Nothing is going to happen to you, nor your husband. I promise we have the finest security team in the world here to protect you."

"I'm sure I won't die then," Regina said, a teasing glint in her eye. She had travelled around the United States for two years with Graham and liked the man, even if he didn't always say the right thing. Thanking him and nodding at John, Regina turned the handle and stepped into her new home.

She was relieved to see that the living room was not white. Once again, she suspected Kathryn had been involved with the new decorations as well as the large vase of flowers placed grandly on the glass table before her. It was filled with her favourite blooms. Red tulips and roses, tucked side by side. Regina smiled and leaned down to smell them, their sweet scent filling her nostrils. Kathryn definitely earned her place at Regina's side and she was proud to be able to bring her political campaign manager into the White House with her.

"Do you like them?"

Regina straightened up and turned around at the familiar voice. "They're from you?" she asked her husband who was stood in the doorway.

"Yes," Robin said, walking towards the brunette. "I know they're your favourites and I wanted to congratulate you on finally getting here. I know how hard you've worked, Gina, and I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," Regina said. "How do you like our new accommodation?"

Robin shrugged. "It's a little ostentatious but I suppose I'll get used to it. The guest room at least has its own bathroom and a small balcony. Did Graham say anything about dinner?"

"He's my body guard, not our chef," Regina frowned. "I can cook something if you're hungry though."

"There's no food in the fridge," Robin said, jabbing his thumb back over his shoulder towards the kitchen he himself had just been inspecting.

"Well, I'm fairly sure they don't let presidents starve to death," Regina said. "Let me call my secretary and get something sent up. What are you in the mood for?"

"Venison," Robin replied at once.

"Specific," Regina chuckled. "But I suppose that's one of the perks of being the First Gentleman of the United States."

"Yeah, about that," Robin said. "How much am I actually going to have to do? I mean, do they expect me to do everything a First Lady would?"

"I don't see why it should be different for you," Regina said, pulling out her newly issued cell phone, heavily encrypted and programmed with all of the internal White House phone lines.

"I don't want to pick out china patterns," Robin said.

Regina ignored him as Ashley had just answered the call. She placed Robin's dinner order and requested the same for herself. Gamey meat sounded perfect to her after the week she'd had. Once the call had ended, she found Robin still looking expectantly at her.

"I don't know what your duties will be, Robin," she sighed. "Talk to Kathryn about it tomorrow."

"I said I'd stay with you, Gina," Robin replied. "I stood by your side through all that campaigning, every rally, every speech, every single press conference and debate. I've performed exactly as you and Kathryn instructed me to. And now you're here in the White House and I think it's amazing. But I'm not going to spend the next four years bowing to your every whim."

"You don't have much of a choice," Regina snapped.

Robin sighed. "I know, and I know this is all my fault. But am I going to be kept prisoner here now?"

"Is that how you see this?" Regina asked. "Like a prison?"

"Well, a damn nice one but yeah. I mean, I'm not exactly free."

"Neither am I, Robin," Regina sighed. "Do you really think this is how I imagined we'd be entering the White House together? Believe me, if there was another way, I would have taken it. We're stuck in this marriage for at least another four years. There has never been a female President of the United States and the last unmarried president was in office over 150 years ago. I have already made history once and I have no intention of becoming the first President to get divorced while in office."

"I know, I know that's political suicide but can we at least talk about how I can have some semblance of a life while you're the President?"

"So being the First Gentleman of the United States not enough for you?" Regina asked. "It's a full time job, Robin. You'll get your own assistant and your own staff. I think you'll find it quite satisfying."

"It's emasculating," Robin admitted. "The job has only ever been considered fit for women before."

Regina bristled. Sexism was something she abhorred. "And the job of President has only ever been held by men. Does that mean I'm not capable?"

"No," Robin said at once, moving to take Regina's hands in his own. "You're going to make an amazing president. You were born for this job. I just wasn't born to pick out china patterns."

"Schedule a few golfing trips in between your feminine duties then," Regina said, pulling her hands away. "I'm going to freshen up before dinner. Ashley said it will be up in about half an hour."

"The master bedroom is through there," Robin said, indicating the door on the far side of the living room. "Do you need me to help you prepare anything for tomorrow?" All through the campaign, Robin had willingly helped Regina in any way he could. It was the least he could do, after all.

"I have my first television interview," Regina said. "Could we go through the approved question topics later?"

"Of course," Robin said. "And I'm sorry, Regina. I don't mean to be so ungrateful. I know this is an amazing opportunity for you and I'm sure I'll get used to my new position too."

Regina said nothing but forced a smile before making her way through to the master suite, closing the door heavily behind her. More flowers had been arranged on the bedside table, these ones with a note from Kathryn congratulating the new president. Regina smiled before heading into the adjoining bathroom where all of her toiletries were waiting for her. There were two basins. His and hers. Regina wondered how long it would take for news to break that she and Robin were separated. All of the cleaning staff, security personnel and other people who would become privy to the information when it became apparent the two didn't share a bed had been made to sign a confidentiality agreement. But Regina suspected that sooner or later the truth would be revealed.

She sighed and began to undress; the clothes she wore for her inauguration, painstakingly picked out, shed until at last she was naked. Stepping into the large shower, she tuned on the water and washed away the biggest day of her life.

The pages were turned in frustration, exasperated sighs escaping more and more frequently as bright eyes scanned the words. By the time the document had been read, she was positively seething.

"How am I supposed to conduct an interview if I can't ask a single bloody question?" she asked, tossing the papers onto her desk. "There's not one single interesting topic in that list. Every subject the public want to know about is off limits. This is her first live television interview as President and she's going to come across as cagey and aloof. Can you get her publicist on the line?"

"I can try," the assistant replied. "Let me see if she's available."

"Thanks. And bring me another coffee when you get a moment, please, Ruby."

Ruby nodded and hurried from the office to find the number of the woman who had overnight become the most popular publicist in the world. She returned within ten minutes, a cup of coffee in one hand and her phone, as always, in the other.

"Well?"

"She'll give you five minutes," Ruby said. "Line two."

The other woman hadn't even noticed the little blinking red light, so intently had she been studying the documents to try and find a vaguely interesting line of questioning which hadn't been blocked. Grabbing the handset, she pressed the button.

"Hello?"

"Hi, this is Emma Swan, Chief Political Correspondent for NBC. Am I speaking to Zelena West?"

"Yes, I hear you have a problem with today's interview questions," came the British accent.

"In the sense that there aren't any, yes," Emma replied. "You say I can't ask about her views on abortion, planned parenthood in general, gun crime, religion, the war on terrorism, nuclear war, international relations, refugees, race relations. I mean, what else is there to discuss?"

"This is an interview intended to get to know our new President," Zelena said. "The voters are aware of all her views regarding those areas and her intentions towards them while she is in office. We want this interview to be about who she is as a person and why she'll make a great president."

"You do realise that while I work for NCB I'm not Ellen Degeneres, right? Emma replied angrily. "If you want her to have a chummy chat with someone, you've secured an interview with the wrong show."

"I do believe your political commentary is widely respected, however," Zelena said. "And you were a firm champion of Madam President during her campaign, were you not?"

"Yes, but -"

"And your show is watched by an average of four million viewers per day, correct?"

"True, but -"

"So when we were considering which lucky anchor was going to get the honour of conducting the first interview with the first ever female President of the United States, we believed you earned that right, would you not agree?"

"Yes but what sort of interview is it going to be if I can't ask any questions about politics?"

"Miss Swan," Zelena said, sounding exasperated. "Do you not think the American public are a little sick and tired of politics after endless months of campaigns? They know what Madam President stands for. They elected her because they agree with her views. They want her to implement these changes and begin to repair the tattered country that blonde-haired buffoon left for us. What we want from our interview this evening is for the people who voted for their new president to be given a little glimpse of the person behind the politician. A night off from talking about tighter gun control. One night where the argument of whether life begins at conception isn't brought up. Just half an hour getting to know the woman who now holds the most powerful office in the world. Is that something you can do or should I make a call to ABC?"

"No," Emma said at once. "No, I'll do it."

"Very good, I'll see you later then. I'll be accompanying Madam President to your studio. And be warned, stepping a toe over the line this evening will signal the end to your broadcasting career. Good day, Miss Swan."

Before Emma could answer, Zelena had hung up. Emma glowered and slammed the receiver back down. Ruby raised her eyebrows. "She wants it to be some gossipy 'tell-me-about-your-life' session," Emma sighed, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her face.

"No politics?"

"No politics," Emma confirmed. "And according to this list I'm not supposed to ask about her husband either. The idea of having a First Gentleman is at least a little interesting but no, West has vetoed that as well. How long until we go on air?"

Ruby glanced at her phone. "Five hours."

"Do I have any appointments this afternoon?"

"You're supposed to be doing an interview with Senator Jones," Ruby replied. "He's got some new initiative for veterans who lose limbs in battle. I've already prepared some questions and read the report."

"An issue close to his heart, I'm sure," Emma said. The Senator of California had lost his hand when he was serving in the US Navy and had built a political career championing the rights of US servicemen and women. "When were we supposed to air the recording?"

"Next week, I think," Ruby said.

"Postpone the meeting. I've got too much to do for this and I know Jones is in town for the next month so he'll be able to reschedule. Once you've done that, can you sit and help me create some questions which are just a little bit interesting? You watch Ellen, right? I'm going to need to take a few pages out of her book I think."

"Sure," Ruby said. "Give me five minutes."

Emma smiled gratefully and turned to the document she had received from Zelena. She sighed and began to re-read it, desperate to squeeze just one political question into the looming interview. Without that, she was going to be the laughing stock of the journalism world. How could you have an interview with a new president without talking about politics?

"Damn you, Regina Mills," Emma Swan said under her breath as she set about preparing for what was to be the most watched interview of her career so far.

A/N: so … what do you think?