It's just a Press Corp function, what could go wrong?
That's what Emily had asked Aaron when he'd expressed a disinterest in attending, but now she was ready to eat her words.
Things had been tense between them since his return to the White House, not that she didn't enjoy having him around- she really did. But they had been unintentionally wary of each other in the past few weeks.
However, they'd made an unspoken agreement to stick together that night, each for their own reasons. Aaron, so he'd have back up if a reporter ambushed him, and Emily, hoping that he'd feel less nervous about getting ambushed, and also thought it would show that the former and current COS were on good terms.
Reporters had been coming up to them all night, but they had all been asking routine questions: What subject in the agenda are you most focused on at the moment? What's your take on Kirkman's relationship with the American people? Any new names for potential Cabinet members? What about Vice President?
Things seemed to be going smoothly up until a reporter did decide to ambush them. After that, things seemed to take a turn for the worst.
"Hi. Mr. Shore, Ms. Rhodes, my name is Amelie Layton from the Chicago Tribune. It's so nice to finally meet you both," she greeted them with one of those reporter fake smiles, extending her hand to them both.
The two both shook her hand said it was nice to meet her too.
She thought Amelie seemed like a total snake in the grass, and luckily Aaron seemed to pick up on that as well.
"I hope you don't mind, I was wondering if you could answer a few questions?"
Emily could sense that Aaron was nervous, but that was more of a sixth sense she'd developed over time. His body language didn't show it.
"No, not at all," Emily replied, forcing a smile.
"Okay, so first question: What's it like being back in the White House after your resignation?" she asked Aaron.
Unfortunately, that was only the first sign of trouble.
"Uh, well, I'm not exactly sure how to describe it. Working here feels a lot more natural since I served in our late President Richmond's staff as Deputy Chief of Staff. Special Advisor has most of the same duties as COS, just without the office," he joked.
Amelie laughed and moved on to the next question.
"How does it feel for the both of you having basically switched positions?"
Emily was the one to answer.
"I think it sometimes feels a bit odd, just hearing the other's name associated with our former titles."
"Yes, I could definitely see why," Amelie said. "Mr. Shore, if you could regain your title as Chief of Staff, would you?"
Aaron had been asked this question multiple times since his return, and before now he'd just said he wasn't sure. But this time, the current Chief of Staff was standing right next to him. He knew what his answer would be from the very first time someone had asked him, but he hadn't wanted to go into that with them at the moment. Now, he really had no choice.
"To me, the title doesn't really matter. Of course it's important, that's not what I mean. I came to Washington to help people, and I believe that I can be just as efficient with the title of Special Advisor as I could with Chief of Staff. I also think Ms. Rhodes is doing an excellent job in that position," he said, not really answering the question. He'd learned that technique from Seth and other past Press Secretaries.
"Alright. Now, on the topic of your aforementioned resignation, what were the circumstances surrounding that?"
There it is, Emily thought to herself. Amelie had dropped the bomb that had been looming over their heads all night long.
Emily still felt guilty about all of it. No matter how much Aaron thought she was doing a good job, or that titles didn't matter, he'd still lost the job he loved. She'd gotten the position unfairly, and the investigation had ruined almost any chance they'd ever had at a relationship.
"I'm sorry, but that's a matter of national security," Emily smiled nervously.
"Oh, so it was some sort of internal affair among Kirkman's Inner Circle?" she inquired.
Emily had stepped on the snake in the grass, and it came back to bite her.
"No, that's not what I'm saying, although, I'd like to know where you're getting that assumption from." she replied.
"It must have been for you to have known about it. Mr. Shore, a comment?"
"Like Ms. Rhodes said, the circumstances surrounding my resignation are a matter of national security. That's the best thing I can give you other than a no comment. I think we're done here." Aaron said, turning around and walking away before Amelie could get another word out.
Emily didn't bother to stay behind and apologize to her for him storming off. That was the reaction Amelie was trying to get out of him and they all knew it. Instead she followed him into an empty hallway that was adjoined to the the ballroom.
"Aaron, wait," she called after him.
He stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to face her.
"What? What do you want, Emily?" he demanded.
"I want you to slow down for five seconds and realize how acting like that affects all of us. This isn't easy for me either,"
Aaron scoffed.
"Isn't easy for you? Are you actually kidding me?"
"No, I'm not."
"And how is that?" Aaron asked, raising his voice.
"Because I have to dodge questions like that too," she said, matching his volume.
"You aren't the one having your loyalty questioned at every turn. Also, if I remember correctly, this is your fault."
"What?" she asked, the word coming out quiet and strangled as the lump in her throat grew.
"If you had just told me about the investigation in the first place, none of this would have happened," he practically hissed.
He was shocked to see how she was just taking it. She wasn't fighting back or trying to defend herself in the slightest. Little did he know, that's what she'd been telling herself ever since he'd resigned. Emily blamed herself for the entire thing, so there was nothing to defend herself with.
She cleared her throat in a futile attempt to hide her emotions.
"It's getting late I should, uh, probably head home. I'll see you tomorrow, Aaron," she said with a poor attempt at a smile.
It took Aaron approximately five seconds after Emily walked away to start feeling bad about what he'd said to her. Hoping he could catch her before she left, he headed back into the ballroom, trying to dodge reporters as he headed towards the exit. Instead of finding Emily, he quite literally bumped into Seth.
"Hey, man, where've you been? I've been looking all over for you."
"Have you seen Emily?" he asked, scanning the crowd of people behind Seth.
"Yeah, she just left. That's why I was looking for you. She looked pretty upset. Did something happen?"
Aaron sighed and ran his hands down his face in frustration.
"I got mad and said things I shouldn't have. Did she say anything?"
"No, I tried to go over and talk to her but by the time I got there she had left."
Aaron took a deep breath and realized what he needed to do.
"Alright. I'm heading out. Mind covering for me?" he asked, patting Seth on the shoulder.
"And where are you going?"
"I'm going to try to apologize,"
"Good luck, man," Seth chuckled.
"Thanks, I'll need it,"