Aaron was pale as a ghost, and once upon a time Emily could've asked him about it, even with the possibility that it could be personal. Now all they talked about was work, so that was where she'd stick to. It wasn't as if his personal life was any of her business anyway.

"Something happen?" She asked, clearing her throat.

He shook his head, but as he turned away from her, she caught the stunned look in his eyes. Something was definitely up.

"Nothing to worry about. What did you want to discuss, Emily?"

Aaron Shore was never distracted, so whatever was happening had to be big, and bad. Emily swallowed the lump forming in her throat at the thought that he no longer wanted to confide in her. She knew she shouldn't be upset, because people did grow apart. Yet it still hurt.

"Ummm... We had a meeting scheduled. You know, to go through Kirkman's remarks on Hookstraten's education initiative. Seth should be here in a minute. Seriously, Aaron, what's going on with you today?"

"I'm sorry," he muttered back, but refused to offer her anything else, opting to stare out the window instead.

Anger, hurt and frustration bubbled inside of her, as they had so often before during her interactions with Aaron. Fine. He could have it his way, then. They could stand there in silence until Seth came to bail them out, as he often did.

"Kirkman wants me to be VP," he suddenly continued, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.

Her jaw dropped. Even after working with Tom Kirkman for years and thinking she knew the man, this came as a surprise.

"After all the work we did to find more suitable candidates-," she started.

"He said he wanted me for the position. Yup. It's ridiculous, I know," he finished, letting out a disbelieving laugh.

"Well, it's definitely out of the box."

"He'll be eaten alive for this pick."

"What did you tell him?"

"I asked for some time to think about it."

She nodded, biting her lip.

"What are you going to say?"

"Since we both agree that it's a crazy idea and will inevitably damage the presidency, I'll do the right thing and decline."

He was right, at first glance at least. However, on second thought... She was the one with the closest personal ties to Kirkman, and the only one in the room who could maybe look at this from his point of view. Aaron fit the part. Not that she was being entirely objective, but it was true. If this worked out, part of the population would be eating out of his hand.

"I don't know, Aaron... I mean, it totally looks like a terrible idea, but... I get him."

"You do?"

"Yeah. You're a good man, and he knows and trusts you. Aside from the obvious flaws, I could think of much worse candidates."

As his eyes bore into hers, she felt herself blushing slightly, but straightened up, going for a more neutral and impersonal approach.

"You mean that?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think I should take it, then?"

"It's up to you. We'd do everything in our power to make it happen. It's my job to advance the President's agenda." She wanted to slap herself for spouting generic drivel like that to him out of all people.

"Right, yeah. Of course," he replied, offering her one of those sad smiles she'd almost gotten used to by now.

God. How did she always manage to push him farther away even when she didn't mean to? And how could any of this be fixed?

She opened her mouth to apologize, but Seth chose that exact moment to enter the office.

It wasn't until late that night when Aaron finally had some time for himself. Pouring himself a large glass of brandy, he settled behind his desk. He'd decided to tell Emily because if anyone could offer an honest and objective opinion on a crazy idea like that, it was her. She'd given him what he'd been looking for, but her detachment was hard to swallow. There was nothing personal about this for her, she'd made that clear enough.

It made sense, but he still hated it. He wished she cared about more than just Kirkman's presidency. Wished she cared about him.

Whatever concerns he had about his own life changing, they were insignificant compared to what the President needed him to do. Aaron had always done everything for his country, and this was merely another one of those times that required a sacrifice. One of the biggest reasons he loved working at the White House was that he got to work closely with Emily and Seth again. That would change. As Vice President he wouldn't be one of the staff anymore. He wouldn't be going out for drinks after work anymore, not with the Secret Service escort. Nevertheless, he'd walked away from his friends once and could do it again.

He was forced back into the real world by a soft knock at the door.

"Come in," he called.

Aaron nearly shot up from his chair when Emily peeked inside.

"Oh, hey. I thought you gone home for the night," he stammered.

"No, had some catching up to do on paper work. I'm sure you can imagine," she replied.

He nodded, remembering his own work load as Chief of Staff. Sometimes he still missed the position, as much as he disliked acknowledging it.

"You want a drink?"

"I really should go... But okay, one drink," she agreed, accepting a glass from him.

"Do you really think we could pull it off?" he asked.

"The vice presidency? Yeah, I do. Does that mean you've made a decision?"

He shrugged.

"Not yet, at least not really."

"You want to know what's funny?" she asked, leaning back against his desk as she poured herself another glass. So much for 'one drink' only. Not that he minded her company.

"What?"

"I always figured you were like me in a way. That you were one of the people who wanted to make things happen but preferred working out of the spotlight."

"You're right about that."

"Is this really what you want, then?"

"There aren't many things I wouldn't do for this country, Emily. If it needs me to do this, then I will," he exhaled.

Emily offered no response, but he felt her eyes linger on him.

"I think you're worth the faith Kirkman has in you," she finally said, her voice almost too low to hear.

His heart thudded at the compliment, and the useless hope inside of him reared its head again.

"I won't be around as much if it works out," he said.

"I know. More brandy?"

"Yes, please."

He had no idea at which point they apparently reached a mutual decision to empty every liquor bottle in his office, but two hours later they were still sitting there, drinking side by side, mostly in silence. The air was heavy with unsaid words, but every swig they took only moved them further from voicing them.

"I should get- going-" she started, taking a step away from the desk and nearly tripping over her own feet. Before she toppled entirely, he snagged her by the wrist and pulled her back upright. As she was unsteady on her feet, she fell slightly against him, her chest suddenly flush against his.

"I hate you, you know?" she sighed, chuckling at the same time. Her forehead was nearly resting against his pectoral and he couldn't help enjoying the feel of her hot breath, so close to his bare skin now.

"Why?" he forced out, struggling not to pant.

"For being so damned difficult. For making me want things," she elaborated, slurring. He probably sounded just as bad though.

It was mostly the booze, but also because he knew it could be his last night as a nobody. He had the rest of his life to be rational and careful. Without thinking about too much, he tilted her face toward his before leaning down to brush his lips against hers. He knew he was an idiot when he did that, and the feeling only intensified when her mouth opened against his and she moaned as if he was the best dessert she'd ever had. If they'd been drunk during their first kiss, that night had nothing on this one. She managed to break the topmost button of his shirt in her haste to kiss his throat, and he'd never felt less like a gentleman as when his hands found her buttocks.

A thud coming from the floor above finally made them jump apart.

"I- I have to go. Let's never talk about this again, okay?" Emily asked, somehow grabbing her purse and coat without falling down.

She was out the door before he could get a single word out. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.