A/N My Semester is pretty much over now, so I will be updating frequently. So if the emails don't start working soon just keep checking in.
Like I said this wasn't my planned direction but it is the one the characters wanted to go with. Feedback appreciated.

...

Aaron Shore had never been so happy to see anyone in his life. He'd hugged Nadia so fiercely he worried he would hurt her. She moved into his apartment, turning around to face him.

"Unemployment doesn't suite you cousin."

"Yeah, well." He smiled down at the soft white rug. "I apparently needed it. I went on a run this morning I barely made it two blocks and I had to sit on a bench. It's good I'll have more time to get back in shape."

"You don't look well." She shook her head.

"I'll try not to take that personally." He looked around the room. "Make yourself at home while I get ready."

Aaron studied himself in the mirror for a few minutes before getting in the shower. She was right, he didn't look well. He needed more sleep and more food, but he hadn't really been able to accomplish either lately.

Once he'd made sure that his suit was crisp and his hair the proper amount of gelled, he rejoined her in the living room.

"Better?" He called walking into the room with his best grin, she smiled up at him.

"Yes." Nadia admitted, before turning around the frame in her hand. ""Es Emily?" Aaron fought to keep his face from falling, giving her a quick nod.

"Es muy bonita"

"Si ella es." He whispered softly.

"I was hoping we'd be meeting." Aaron turned and started organizing his briefcase before realizing it was nearly empty and he really didn't need it.

"She's got a lot on her plate right now at work." He said smoothly.

"It's a shame you left her to all of it." Nadia studied his reaction.

"She's more than capable I assure you." He gave her a quick grin. "We should go."

…

Emily Rhodes' plans were falling apart. Her nice tidy well researched bipartisan 100 days were in ruins, all from an innocent comment from Alexandra Kirkman.

Her feet hurt, her shoes suddenly felt much too small. She stared at Seth over the easels of poster board and post it notes pushed to the back of the room for this meeting with Director Whitaker. He flashed her an encouraging grin on his way out before holding up his cup to her and gesturing the table before her. The water bottle mocked her as she unscrewed the top and took a drink.

"Are you sure I can't have them get us something stronger than water Ms. Rhodes?" He asked

"No I can't, but thank you." She whispered, wondering if this moron was the only one left in the building that wasn't watching everything she put into her body.

"Not even coffee? Shore loved this little Colombian blend I get directly from the source." He pointed at her plastic bottle. "Even better water than that."

"No, Director Whitaker, thank you but I'm fine." She gripped the bottle possessively. "When I was speaking with him Aaron made it clear that you value frequent contact, but I'm sure you can imagine today is a very busy day for me."

"I do understand, I just want to be sure that you understand it's important that you and I get to know each other. I feel as Director, this happened on my watch." He looked down. "And I don't intend to let it happen again Ms. Rhodes. The relationship between the NSA and the White House is crucial."

"I do understand that Director Whitaker, I promise you."

"Shore and I have been meeting for a meal or at least a coffee almost daily for the last few weeks."

"I'm not sure I can promise you daily Director, but please, have our offices set up a few dates." She smiled an Aaron like smile, catching her assistant in the doorway."If you'll excuse me though I really do need to get back to work."

"Now what?" She whispered as the man left the room.

"There is a woman named Nadia on the phone." Emily shook her head. "She's very insistent. She called your office line directly. She says it's an emergency."

….

Emily raced up the steps of the building as fast as she could, pushing her key impatiently into the door and swinging it open.

"Hello?" She dropped her purse on the table and made her way back to the bedroom. "Nadia?"

"Emily?" The younger woman came into the hallway. "I didn't know who else to call. He thought I was you when I first got here. I don't know what's wrong with him. At first I thought he was drunk but-."

Emily pushed past her and into the bedroom, Aaron was on his side on the bed, she could see his body shake from the door.

"Oh my God." She whispered to herself dropping to her knees in front of the bed and moving her hand across his damp face. "Aaron?" The cool clamminess of his skin made her pull back just a little before she saw the way his eyes tried to open at the sound of her voice.

"I can't-." He whispered between painful gasps, she watched the sweat pool in the divots of his collarbone as his chest seized with each breath. "Something's wrong."

"Call an ambulance." She yelled behind her watching for a second as Nadia scrambled for the phone; her English breaking frantically as she called for help. "Oh my god." She whispered again, letting her hands skim over his bare chest.

"Emily?" She locked their gazes as he struggled to keep his eyes from rolling into the back of his head.

"I'm here." She coaxed. "I'm right here. Stay with me. Aaron just look at me."

…..