Story of tonight

She was exhausted, to say the least. She and her staff had been up for the past four days trying to avert World War III. It was draining. She was sleep deprived, all hopped up on coffee, and honestly felt a little sick. Her heels were killing her, and her body was aching. All she wanted to do was go home, fall into bed, and sleep for days, but she couldn't disobey the President's orders.

She walked through the halls of the west wing on autopilot. "He called you too?" She nearly gasped when The President's chief of staff seemed to appear out of thin air. "God, Russel." She had a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid beating of her heart. "Do you know what this is about?" She asked the man. "Not a clue." He answered. The pair continued walking side by side down the long hallways until they reached The Oval Office.

Being as it was almost two in the morning, The President's assistant had gone home hours ago, so they simply walked into the room. Conrad stood behind his desk, peering out the window into the dark sky. "Sir." Russel spoke up, alerting him to their presence. He turned around quickly, and mustered a small smile. The room was filled with a silence. Russel and Elizabeth stood there a bit awkwardly, waiting for the leader of the free world to say something, anything, but he said nothing. "Excuse me sir, but is there something you needed?" Lizzie questioned. "Oh god no." The President spit out quickly as he stepped out from behind his desk. Elizabeth sighed, relieved that her mind could now officially turn off for the night.

Conrad motioned to the couches, and said, "Please sit, you both look…burnt out." He had to search for a nicer word then telling them they looked like complete crap. They followed The President's command, and each claimed a spot on opposite sofas. Bess literally fell into the soft cushions; her muscles thanking her for the much needed break.

"I wanted to thank you both for all your work these past few days." He started. Conrad poured a glass of whiskey, knowing Russel would easily accept the drink. "I know it's been difficult." He added. He poured the amber colored liquid into a cup for himself. "Bess?" He questioned, lifting up the bottle of alcohol. "I don't drive anymore." She joked. He turned back to the mini bar once again, before moving across the room, distributing the glasses, and taking a seat in a chair.

"Bess you really did some great work this week." He announced. "Yes well I was just the mediator." She played down the importance of the role she played in the whole process of the summit. "You did a lot more than that." Conrad opposed, taking a sip of his drink. "Let's just say The Chinese and The Japanese both really wanted the Henkashu Islands." Russel commented.

"Yes well, when there's natural gas deposits…" Conrad trailed off. After downing her pick-me-up, Elizabeth bluntly said, "It didn't help that China sent a reconnaissance plane over the islands, which caused Japan to scramble an F-15. They buzzed each other and The Japanese pilot had to ditch."

"Yes but a treaty is now signed, and I wanted to celebrate the accomplishment." Conrad declared. "You did one hell of a job, Bess. You should be proud. This one's for the books." He praised her again. "Thank you Mr. President. It was a pleasure." She replied. He batted a hand at her. "Drop the pleasantries; it's after midnight." He teased.

It was about an hour later, and she was more than a few drinks in. She was one to hold her alcohol fairly well, but she was beginning to feel the buzz. Her heels had been kicked off. She had her legs stretched out on the sofa, and her head was resting back on a cushion. The trio had spent the last hour talking. Talking about their families, golf, the weather. Anything but work. Her mind was mush. She was a bit buzzed, and wasn't thinking clearly. Her thoughts were freely flowing from her mouth. "Do you ever think about how this…" She motioned around the room. "This will be the first line of our obituary?" She blurted out. Russel's forehead creased at how odd her question was. "Is that a bad thing?" Conrad pondered. "I don't know anymore." She responded, unsure of herself. "I think President of The United States is damn impressive and a title most want, and Bess don't act like POTUS won't be your headline either." He told her, honestly. She laughed dryly, sitting up on the couch. She held her hands up in defense. "Whoa there. Don't get ahead of yourself." She retorted.

"What, like it's some big secret?" Russel teased. Lizzie just shook her head at the two men, and laid back again. "I'm just saying, we're working to change the world. Leave our kids a safer place to live in, but it's all a huge sacrifice." She admitted. "It is." Conrad muttered. "Wouldn't you rather have loving mother or father as the words the world remember you by?" She wondered out loud.

"Does it really matter how people perceive the words on your memorial? The one's who really knew you, who loved you, will know what you were to them. Some will see you as their Secretary of State, some their mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend…the list goes on." Russel proclaimed. She let out a huff of air. "This job, it's still taking more than I can give." Elizabeth revealed. "Now that's just not true. You're creating things, great things. Systems, treaties, diplomatic relationships that will outlive you." Conrad reassured her.

"And that makes it all worth it? Putting this job sometimes over my family?" She asked, self-consciously. "You're a great mother, Bess. Your kids look up to you. You've done memorable things. Just look at this treaty for an example. The Chinese and The Japanese have both claimed the Islands as their own for generations." Conrad exclaimed. "Your children will tell your story, and they'll tell the story of tonight." Conrad said.