Authors note: A review raised a question about Fitzwallace. I am aware that he was killed in the series before Santos ever arrived in office. However, I think he is too good a character to kill off so he is still alive.

Monday

Buffy left Sam's office and headed in the direction of Ron's office. If Ron wanted her to call him then it was probably serious. It amused her that people were so busy running from A to B that they barely paid her any attention. Buffy found Ron in his office and she listened patiently as he explained the problem. Ron needed to protect the President but it did not matter how much they trained they would be unable to protect the President from supernatural threats.

She had a bold idea, "What about if a slayer was to join in the detail?"

Ron would have to be stupid to turn down that offer, "I would ask when they could start."

Buffy mulled the thought for a few minutes, thinking about who would be the best. "I'll make some calls but if Vi agrees she will probably join me on the plane back from London."

Ron nodded, happy that the situation would soon be resolved, "I'd be grateful if you'd give me a ring as soon as you have a firm name."

"Sure thing. Oh and who'll be Secretary Vinick's protection because he'll be travelling with me."

Well that suddenly made that trip a little easier for the Secret Service. After all, travelling with the Slayer provided its own protection. Ron did promise, "As soon as the details are finalised I'll send them to you."

Buffy was happy to help, "Thanks now I have to go find Donna."

The Agent showing his fondness for Buffy helped her out, "The logs show she is still in her office."

She gave him a bright smile, "Thanks you're the best!"

He chuckled as she left.

Buffy found Donna in her office, "Hey are you busy?"

Donna smiled, glad for the company, "No the schedules are organised and for once I have nothing left to do."

Buffy had an evil grin, "Good my friend is here and we all want to go shopping, sound like fun?"

In truth, It sounded the best idea Donna had heard all day. Buffy smirked, "Oh and Josh should pay."

Donna narrowed her eyes, wondering what Josh had done. She loved Josh dearly but he did have a brilliant talent at putting his foot in his mouth. Buffy explained and Donna did think, given Josh's 'delicate system' it was a bit hypocritical to tease others.

She grinned, "Let's go!"

Josh did not know what hit him. He was the Chief-of-Staff and he could not say no to two beautiful blondes. He had a feeling that he would find it difficult to say no to the pair for years to come. Oh well, at least Sam would be right beside him. He just hoped that neither harboured plans for world domination. He was sure that if Buffy and Donna put their collective minds to it, they would be able to manage it within a year.

Donna joined Buffy in her Limo. They were travelling back to Buffy's place to pick up her friend. When she saw the council building, her jaw dropped. "Okay Josh hasn't been here."

Buffy started laughing, "Yeah. He's still hung up on the plane. Sam and I thought it best to wait awhile before introducing him to the digs."

Donna could guess exactly what Josh's reaction would be. A mischievous grin on her face Donna asked, "If I'm not there, will you take photos?"

"Of course, Now come on, you need to meet Faith."

Faith, Donna and Buffy were having a blast as they hit the Washington mall. Donna had started to relax and was letting her hair down. It did seem a tad ironic that the wildest of the women was the one who was already married.

Faith was teasing Buffy, "So when are Sam and you going to make Giles happy and give him a grandchild?"

Buffy didn't look amused, "When I have time. He's helping to run the White House and I'm going back to London to mediate between Lao and Gregori."

The girls headed straight for Victoria Secrets. Faith smirked upon seeing a lacy see-through red and black set. She held it up for the others, "Think Robin will like it?"

Buffy snickered, "Yeah I think he'll like it."

Donna saw a crimson set that reminded her of ithat/i dress. She bit her lip, unsure if she should buy it. Buffy saw the indecision and wanted to reassure her, "You should totally buy it. Josh will swallow his tongue."

Faith's wicked grin let Buffy know she was in for some teasing, "What about boy-toy?"

Donna not understanding, frowned, after all, Sam was older than Buffy. However, she tilted her head as if contemplating a great mystery. "I think pretty boy fits Sam better."

Faith started chuckling; she decided she really liked Donna, "Hmm B does have a type. Although, should you be saying that about your boyfriends best friend?"

Donna grinned, before adding a little too innocently, "I love Josh but I'm not dead and Sam looks like a model."

It was nothing that Buffy hadn't heard before. She did shock both women, "He does but he looks better out of a suit."

As she said it, she found the perfect set. She had set her sight on royal purple set. She knew that once Sam saw her wearing it he would be speechless. She considered that quite a feat, as he was a former speechwriter. She also knew the perfect time to unveil the set, on Wednesday. She would be leaving on Wednesday for London to help broker the peace deal. She would let Sam see her get dressed and leave him with a fond memory while she was away.

Having found the perfect underwear, they moved onto shoes. All the while, they traded stories about their other-halves. Buffy and Faith were cackling when they heard about Josh's first meeting with Joey Lucas. In turn, Buffy told them a slightly abridged version of her first meeting with Sam. Overall, they had a blast. Faith extracted promises that they meet up the next time she was in Washington that they would meet up.

Wednesday

Buffy exited her official car by the plane. Sometimes, they were advantages to holding diplomatic immunity. Buffy grinned seeing the two Secret Service agents waiting patiently at the steps of the plane.

She was a little surprised when they gave the codeword 'Sunnydale'. She knew the Senior agent from Bartlets time. Ben had been dying to ask, "Is it true we're getting a mini?"

Buffy grinned, "Yep, she's bored of her current assignment. She'll be joining us on the way home."

Secretary Vinick got his first close look at Lady Elizabeth Giles. She had certainly set tongues wagging at the State Dinner. He'd seen her and her fiancé move and shake with the best of them at the dinner. It was not surprising; Sam Seaborn was a well-known character in Washington. Lady Giles was not so well known in Washington yet, it was clear to him that she was well known on the international scene.

He'd been told on Monday that he would be travelling to London to hellp with the talks. More intriguingly, the President had informed him that his partner in crime would be none other than Elizabeth Giles.

He watched as she laughed and joked with the Secret Service agents. He didn't know Secret Service agents could actually smile. He thought they had their sense of humour surgically removed in basic training.

Buffy turned around to greet him with a beguiling smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Secretary. Shall we?"

He walked up the steps of the Lear-jet and was surprised by the interior. He had travelled on Air Force One a few times but this plane, even had the Presidents plane beat for luxury. Buffy stood back and chuckled, knowing exactly what his reaction would be, "I know Sam always thought that he was spoiled by Air Force one."

The Pilot announced that they had five minutes to take off. He reclined on the plush sofa and Buffy took the opposite sofa. They waited until they reached cruising altitude to get down to business. Arnie was surprised to find the sharp agile mind that hid behind the bubbly exterior. He was curious, "just how exactly did we get them back to the table? The President never explained."

Buffy blushed; the only explanation she offered was, "I asked nicely."

He was certain of one thing; it would have taken more than asking them nicely to get them back to the table.

Buffy did want to make some things clear while they were preparing. "I think it best if you do the talking."

He quirked an eyebrow, "Why is that Lady Giles?"

She was more than willing to play the game, "Call me Buffy. Plus, I am many things Mr Secretary but I am not diplomatic."

He liked the charming woman more and more, "Then you should call me Arnie and I think you'll do just fine."

"We'll see." It was clear that she was not convinced.

Friday

Buffy and Arnie had listened patiently for two days. It was clear though, that while they'd agreed to negotiations neither leader was willing to actually compromise. Buffy was becoming increasingly frustrated by the deadlock and was glad when the lunch break came. Arnie was using the time to call the President, as well as, to check on his department back home. Meanwhile, Buffy had arranged to meet Giles for Lunch.

They sat down and Buffy listened to Giles tell her all about Dawn's adventures at Oxford. When Giles had asked about the negotiations, her only response was an indelicate snort.

He put his tea down, "Ah, that well."

Buffy nodded before adding dryly, "Slowly, very slowly."

Giles pondered the comment, "How exactly did you get them back to the table?"

Buffy smirked, "I went Ripper on their asses."

Giles returned her decidedly ripper-like smirk, "Perhaps, my dear, it is time to play that card again."

Buffy mulled that idea in her head. She stood up with new resolve; she hugged Giles and kissed his cheek, "Thanks Dad."

Even now, nearly five years after she had first called him Dad, he still, went a little misty eyed. "Your welcome. Let me know how it goes."

"I will." Giles smiled to himself, Lao and Gregori wouldn't know what hit them.

Meanwhile, back in the treaty room, Arnie Vinick was sitting down, prepared for another boring session. Well, that was until Buffy stormed in, "I've had enough. I'm tired. I'm cranky and I'm bored." She looked around the room, satisfied that she held their rapt attention, "You know what I'm thinking about at the moment? I'm wondering just how far I can shove my scythe up your asses."

Arnie Vinick was speechless, the room was silent but he watched as both leaders paled. Much to his surprise, the Russian President started laughing, "Oh Elya. I do so miss people calling me on my…"

"Bull?" Buffy offered.

The Chinese president started laughing as well, "You do seem to have a way with words Elizabeth."

It seemed, despite her words, the ice was finally broken. She sat down next to Arnie and tried to play peacemaker, which is not a role she was comfortable with, "Look neither of you want war, there must be some … middle ground."

Arnie was delighted that after two days of complete deadlock, things were finally starting to move.

Sunday

Buffy and Arnie were delighted and relieved that they finally had an agreement that both parties had signed. When they reached the plane, Vi was already waiting bag in hand. Buffy had remembered her manners and introduced the pair.

Arnie waited until they were in the air before asking, "Will you come to all my negotiations?"

She chuckled, "Sorry. IWC agreements only allow me to get involved in certain places."

They were on final approach to Andrews when a call came through the radio asking them to head to the White House.

Vi who'd wandered into the main cabin asked the Queen Slayer, "What's going on?"

Buffy shrugged, "The President wants to talk to me and Secretary Vinick. You can take my car back to the house."

The young slayer was wide eyed, "You're going to meet the President?"

Buffy adored hearing the awe; it was refreshing. She had obviously spent too long in the cynicism that surrounded DC politics. "Uh-huh. You do know that you'll be guarding the President once you've finished training?"

It was obvious that the idea had not sunk in for the young slayer. Buffy just smiled at the dazed slayer, "Don't worry take the car back to the Council House."

"Okay."

She said goodbye to the young slayer and promised to check in on her later, once she finished with the President. She turned back to her car; Arnie was waiting holding the door for her. She gave him a mega-watt smile, "Thank you Mr Secretary."

"You're welcome Lady Giles."

They wondered what the President would think when they let him know about the talks.