Please see Chapter 1 for general info and disclaimers.

*~*

Josh tossed the FBI file onto the coffee table in Toby's office, leaned back into the couch cushions, and laced his fingers behind his head. "Well, according to that file, Jennifer Erickson's Mother Teresa reincarnated."

"Impossible," Toby grumbled. "Mother Teresa was still alive when she was born."

"I know, Toby. I was just joking."

"Do we know what we're going to be doing tonight?" C.J. asked as she pushed her glasses to the top of her head.

"We'll ask her questions and make sure that what's in that file is what comes out of her mouth," Toby instructed as he stroked his beard.

"But that's an FBI file," Sam remarked.

"Yeah, well, the FBI's been known to make a mistake or two, Sam," Toby sharply said.

C.J. rolled her eyes at the exchange before asking, "Do you think the White House Counsel needs to be there tonight?"

"McMichaels?" Josh asked, his eyebrows shooting upwards. "The guy just got here and we're going to drop this bomb on him? He's going to think Babish had it easy."

"I don't think he needs to be there," Sam volunteered. "This isn't really a legal issue, but more of a moral one. Legally, the President didn't really do anything wrong."

"I don't think he paid child support," Toby pointed out.

"But from what Leo's told us, it sounds like Melanie Erickson wouldn't have accepted his money even if he'd tried," Sam persisted.

"And we don't know that he didn't try," C.J. quickly added.

"Right." Sam jumped to his feet and began fiddling with his tie. "But maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for one of the Associate White House Counsels to be there. You know, just in case. How about Ainsley?"

"Ainsley?" Josh asked with smirk. C.J. and Toby shared similar smirks with one another.

"What?" Sam demanded. "Ainsley can tell us if any obscure laws have been broken. And, as an added bonus, she's a Republican, so she can let us in on how Republicans are going to react to this news."

"Sam," C.J. began, trying not to laugh, "I think we all have a fairly good idea how Republicans are going to react."

Just then a knock was heard on Toby's door, which was followed by Leo's entrance into the room.

"Is she back?" C.J. asked, uncrossing her legs.

"No," Leo replied as he closed the door behind him. "They'll call when she is. How are things going here?"

"We just finished going over her file," Josh said as he gestured towards it with his head. "She sounds like a really great kid."

"She is," Leo solemnly affirmed.

"Sam wants to invite Ainsley to the meeting tonight," Toby reported, the smirk returning to his face.

"Ainsley?" Leo turned to face Sam, a questioning look on his face.

"What?" Sam exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.

"He thinks she can give us some insight on what the Republican reaction is going to be," Toby continued.

Before Leo could respond, Toby's phone rang. Everyone's smiles vanished as they watched Toby reached for his phone. "Toby Ziegler…okay…thanks." As he hung up, he announced, "She's back."

Everyone flew into action. C.J. stood and smoothed out the front of her skirt. Josh ran his fingers through his hair as Sam struggled back into his black suit jacket. Toby grabbed the FBI file off the table and tucked it under his arm. Leo observed the senior staff with pride for a moment before ordering, "Sam, go see if Ainsley's still here. If she is, quickly fill her in on what's going on and meet us in the conference room."

Sam nodded as he hustled out of Toby's office.

"Are you ready?" Leo asked the remaining senior staff members. They all nodded somberly. "Good. Then let's go. The night's still young."