Author's note: HI! Sorry it took me ages to update!

I hope you all enjoy this Kelly-centered chapter. It's basically a filler.

Chapter Summary: Becca announces her pregnancy. You'll learn about something Kelly did on the last inauguration day and, two days before Mac's big announcement, a reporter gives her a hard time.

Disclaimer: I don't own Commander in Chief and I don't own The West Wing. I only own a big addiction to both shows.

CHAPTER 12:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press….

Year 2018. December 23.

White House. Press Briefing Room.

Kelly Ludlow entered the pressroom casually. It was almost time for her evening briefing. She saw that most reporters were all talking to each other loudly while others were taking some notes or simply setting their microphones or recorders so they are ready for the upcoming briefing. She stepped to the podium and announced solemnly…

Kelly- Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, before we start with our regular evening briefing Rebecca Calloway would like to make a special announcement…. Please, don't ask her questions until she's done with the announcement. Thank you.

At that moment, Becca entered in the pressroom. Everybody was shocked to see her stepping to the podium, ready to make an announcement. The oldest First Daughter was well known for being extremely shy and hating the press (and she had become specially elusive with the press after her kidnapping), so the reporters were very stunned when they saw her getting closer to the microphone and talking with relative confidence.

Becca- good evening…

Becca could heard some "hi"s and "Good evening"s coming from the press corp. She took a deep breath and continued talking…

Becca- I have some news I would like to share with you and with the American people…. Two months ago I went to visit my personal doctor for a check up and she told me that I'm pregnant. I'm expecting a child that's due to be born on June the 21st.

All the reporters raised their hands and started calling Becca's name frenetically. They had all done the math in their heads and they knew that Becca had gotten pregnant around the day of her kidnapping. There was only one question in every reporter's head.

Becca at first got really scared. There were over 20 men and women shouting her name with their hands up and that frightened her. Feeling a bit nervous but trying not to show it, she did as Kelly had told her… she pointed at a young female reporter called Kim, who checked her notes and very quickly asked her question…

Kim- Becca, Does this mean that it's true that you were raped that night? Is that how you got pregnant?

To protect Becca's privacy, the White House had never confirmed that Becca had been raped. But the reporters weren't stupid… they knew that was a possibility.

Kelly shot Kim a very angry look. She didn't have to ask that question and be so brutal this soon. She could have been nicer to Becca. Was that too much to ask?

The first daughter stood there bravely. She knew that there was no point in lying and that avoiding that question would only generate more speculations. She simply replied…

Becca- Yes. But it doesn't matter how I got pregnant. This baby will be loved very much and it will be raised in a loving and caring family.

She smiled when she said that. She was, of course, talking about the Allen-Calloway family, for which she was more grateful every day.

All reporters raised their hands again.

YEAR 2019. FEBRUARY 27

(two days before Mac's big announcement)

White House. Kelly's office.

Kelly was working in her office when Dickie entered, looking a bit nervous.

Dickie- Kelly… you are releasing the sex of Becca's baby in today's briefing, right?

Kelly knew Dickie well enough to know when the Communications Director was worried about a potential scandal. She looked at him curiously and said…

Kelly- yes… why?

Dickie- I don't know if we should make a comment about the baby today…

Kelly- I'm only going to say that the President's first grandchild will be a girl… what's wrong with that? Geez, Dickie… you would see a mayor political scandal in a vanilla Ice-cream!

Dickie rolled his eyes. It wasn't the first time he heard that, and it surely wouldn't be the last. Kelly suddenly got the feeling that Dickie knew something she didn't and that he had an ulterior reason to ask about the next press briefing…

Kelly- What's really worrying you??

Dickie- look… there is some new information about the kidnapping out there and we don't want that story to become yet another scandal… so it is better if the White House avoids commenting on anything related to Becca for now. So the kidnapping won't come up.

Now Kelly was feeling concerned.

Kelly- even if we don't mention Becca, a reporter might bring up that information you are talking about.

Dickie- I know…

Kelly- so… what's the new information?

Dickie- one of the reporters know that Becca used to smoke pot and that she wanted to try LSD…

Kelly- oh God… I don't believe this…

Dickie- one reporter is going to write a story explaining exactly how Becca took GHB willingly because she thought it was LSD...

Kelly- how did the press find out that?? They didn't even know that Becca was under GHB when she was kidnapped!

Dickie- I don't know… but I think the ex boyfriend or one of his friends sold the story…

Kelly was incredibly outraged. Like Becca and her family didn't have enough problems.

Kelly- this is perfect, Dickie! This is just perfect! And two days before the president disclosures her eating disorder… damn it!

Kelly had just been told the day before about Mac's bulimia and she was still processing that.

Dickie was just as worried and angry as Kelly. The communications director could already see the headlines: "The President has bulimia and the First daughter is a junkie".

Kelly exhaled loudly and shook her head in anger. Then she tried to calm down a little and asked…

Kelly- who is going to publish the story about Becca?

Dickie- that's the problem… I don't know yet… and we better find out soon so we can at least try to stop that reporter…

Kelly- but how can we find out??

Dickie gave her a look that clearly meant: "You know very well how". Kelly understood immediately what Dickie wanted her to do. She shook her head immediately…

Kelly- oh no! No way… I'm not asking HIM…

Dickie- but he surely knows!!! Just ask him… you won't lose anything by just asking.

Kelly- what makes you think he knows anything?

Dickie- he is usually very well informed about what his colleagues will or won't write …

Kelly- Even if he knows who will publish the story… that doesn't mean he would tell me…

Dickie now gave her a look that meant: "Come on!". Kelly protested weakly…

Kelly- he doesn't share information with me… he is not allowed to do that…

Dickie- but if you asked him nicely… if you appealed to his compassion…

Kelly- I can't, Dickie! Why don't you ask him?

Dickie- Please!! You know why you are the one who should ask him…

Kelly shook her head stubbornly…

Kelly- I'm not going to take advantage of some romantic feelings he might have for me just to get some information. Forget it.

But Dickie wasn't going to lose this one. He really wanted Kelly to get the information. Besides, he was only asking her to ask a simple question. That wasn't too much to ask. He insisted making his point and tried to appeal to Kelly's sensibility…

Dickie- are you just gonna let them ruin Becca's image like that? Reporters are gonna have a field day. They are not gonna just tell the truth, Kelly… they are going to twist the truth to make Becca look like the biggest drug addict since Robert Downey Jr. Are you gonna let that happen? After all that Becca has already suffered?

Kelly sighed deeply, absorbing Dickie's words. He was right. They couldn't let that story about Becca become public knowledge. That couldn't get to the media. She finally said, defeated…

Kelly- ok… I'll ask Steve about this. But you know you are being a big hypocrite, don't you?

Dickie was taking aback by that. He protested childishly…

Dickie- I'm not!

Kelly- you TOLD me not to date him because it would be a conflict of interest! You said I couldn't date him because it would be unprofessional and unethical. And even when who I date is NONE of your business, you were right… so I did what you said and broke up with him. And now you are asking me to take advantage of his feelings for me to get information out of him??

Sometimes Kelly simply didn't get Dickie at all. Some time ago, he lectured her very harshly because she had slept with a White House reporter being the Press Secretary. Dickie had made her feel very bad for getting involved with Steve like that. But now he was encouraging her to use Steve's feelings for information?

Dickie- just… stop the drug story before it's too late. I don't care how you do it…

Kelly couldn't help thinking: "That's the thing about Dickie… just when you start thinking he is taking the high road, he comes up and does something very old-Dickie like".

Later that day…

Press working-room

Steve Garret was busy writing an article in the laptop he had on his desk. Around him, all his fellow reporters were at their desks being very busy too… writing, taking notes or simply doing research for the next story. When he was about to finish the first draft of the article, he noticed with surprise that Kelly was right next to him. He smiled and felt his heart skip a beat. Kelly simply said…

Kelly- I need to see you in my office.

Once they were both alone in the privacy of Kelly's office, she started to feel really nervous. Steve misunderstood what Kelly wanted, so he said defensibly…

Steve- look… if this is about the flowers I sent you last week for your birthday… well, I'm sorry if that was totally out of line. I just wanted…

Kelly- that's not it… I loved the flowers. It was very nice of you…

Kelly had actually been really touched by the gesture. Steve had sent her a bunch of very beautiful flowers even when she had broken up with him two years ago before they could start a real relationship. The flowers had been a sign, which meant that he was still waiting for her… that he still wouldn't give up on her. But that had nothing to do with the topic she needed to discuss at that moment.

Kelly- I needed to talk to you about something else… Steve, I know that there is a story about Becca Calloway, which is about to break soon…

Steve knew everything about it and he also knew what Kelly wanted from him.

Steve- The drugs. Right? I'm sorry… I think it's very low of my colleague to attack Becca like that. But it's not my story, Kelly. I can't do anything about it.

Kelly- You see… you can do one thing… You could tell me who is writing the story and how did that person got the information.

Steve couldn't believe what Kelly was asking him to do.

Steve- oh no… no… no… no… I can't. I'm sorry. I can't turn a colleague in like that and I definitely can't reveal other reporter's sources. You shouldn't ask me to do that for you.

Kelly- I know I shouldn't… I didn't want to put you in this position but I'm really worry about what will happen to Becca when that story breaks...

Steve- Nothing will really happen… there'll probably be just a couple of articles and some people will talk about it… but, it won't be a really big deal. I'm sure the story will be forgotten as soon as we find something better…

Kelly had to admit to herself that everybody would surely forget about Becca as soon as they reveal the President's big secret in two days.

Kelly- Still… It makes me feel so angry that someone is planning to attack Becca like that…

Steve- I know… it's so cheap…

Kelly- Please, Steve, can't you at least tell me who has the story?

Steve thought about it. He couldn't just do her a special favor because he had crush on her. He had to treat her like he would treat any other Press Secretary. And with any other Press Secretary he would negotiate.

Steve- ok… I'll give you the name… but I want to be on the front row during the President's next press conference and I want the first question.

Kelly- I can't guarantee you the first question… but you can be on the front row and you can have the second question.

Steve- in that case… I also want a good seat to cover the next official trip on the Air Force One.

Kelly- fine. Who has the story?

Steve- Kim. Don't call her from the podium today… she'll bring up the topic. Oh… and the article she's writing will be in her paper tomorrow.

Kelly- thank you…

An hour after that…

Press briefing room

Kelly was at the podium, nearly finished with her press briefing.

Kelly- and last but definitely not least… yesterday, Rebecca Calloway had her third sonogram, which revealed that the baby she's expecting is a healthy… girl.

Kelly wasn't surprised at all when she saw some disappointed reporters (including Steve) giving money to Charlie and Jill. She herself had lost 20 bucks she now had to pay to Vince, who had guessed the baby's sex correctly.

Once the reporters started showing hands to ask questions, Kelly called Charlie's name.

Charlie- Kelly, how is the President feeling about her first grandchild being a girl???

Kelly actually had no idea since she hadn't really talked with the President in days except for staff meetings with other people in the room. In "cool press secretary" mode, she replied jokingly…

Kelly- she's delighted, but that could be only because now the First Gentleman owes her 50 bucks.

There was collective laugher in the room and then Kelly said...

Kelly- any other question?

Kelly replied a few more questions about the baby. Then Only Steve and Kim showed hands. Kelly called Steve's name.

Steve- This is about a different topic… Is the Vice President going to run for President in the next elections? If he is… Does that mean that the President isn't going to run again?

Kelly- The White House won't comment about the next elections. There is a year and a half left, people. That topic hasn't even been discussed yet…

Kelly told that lie very well. The reporters were really disappointed. Before anybody else had the time to speak… Kim simply made a question without having been given permission for that.

Kim- another topic: is it true that Becca Calloway used drugs before being kidnapped?

Kelly- I won't comment about that either… ok, this is it for today; I'll see you all tomorrow.

She left the pressroom. Not before telling Kim that she needed to see her alone in her office. The reporter went to Kelly's office imagining what was all about.

Kim- yes? you wanted to see me?

Kelly- yes, indeed… please, take a seat.

Kim sat in front of Kelly.

Kelly- I need you not to write that article you are planning.

Kim- I'm sorry. Do you mean…?

Kelly- the article about Becca Calloway you are planning to write. I think it's malicious and far from the truth. You can't publish it…

Kim definitely didn't like to be told what to do. Especially not by someone she despised. The truth was that Kim had a big one-side crush on Steve and the fact that he was in love with Kelly was what made Kim hate the Press Secretary ever since she started working in The White House.

Kim- I beg to differ with you… I can publish it. And I will.

Kelly- look… there are rules, very simple rules. You don't write articles attacking the President's children. You can't do that. Is as simple as that.

Kim- you have a problem with the first amendment, Kelly?

A few minutes ago, the article about Becca was just another article for Kimberly. But now that she knew Kelly cared so much about it, Kim was more determined than ever to write it.

Kelly was so tired of that little reporter who hated her for no good reason. Kim was ALWAYS giving her a hard time and Kelly had enough.

Kelly- not at all… I have a problem with vicious, ill-informed reporters who write mean pointless articles about non-issues and make a big deal out of nothing just for the sake of entertainment. You better find another story.

Not giving a response, Kimberly left Kelly's office. The reporter grinned and said to herself:

Kim- If Kelly wants me to write about something else… I'll write about something else…

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YEAR 2017. JANUARY 20.

Mac's Inauguration day

Kelly was having a glass of champagne and enjoying what turned out to be a wonderful evening. Everybody in the room was really happy and celebrating the inauguration of the First Female President… who now could add "Elected" to that title. And Kelly was an important part of the team who made that happen. The campaign had been a success and now it was a night to celebrate.

The press secretary was looking gorgeous in her "Dolce and Gabbana" light-pink, strapless, long dress. And Kelly's beauty didn't go unnoticed. Steve Garret, Senior White House Reporter, certainly noticed how stunning Kelly looked. To Steve, Kelly was always gorgeous. But, tonight, he found her even more beautiful. She was simply breathtaking to him.

Kelly noticed that Steve was staring at her from the other side of the room. They made eye contact and she smiled at him sweetly. He smiled back. Then he started to walk across the room, obviously to talk to her. Kelly watched him come closer and thought: "It looks like he's… gliding". She suddenly remembered the story she had made up about Clooney and wondered if he remembered it too. Apparently, he remembered. Because, next, Steve put his hand on Kelly's back without saying a word and kissed her neck. Then he pulled her closer and kissed her softly on the lips

"You ever start spinning from a kiss, Steve?" He had replied: "yes". But that had been a lie. Steve realized that it was at that moment, when he was kissing Kelly for the first time, that his head was really spinning like crazy because of a kiss.

The morning after…

January 21. Early in the morning.

The White House. Kelly's office.

Kelly entered her office and sat behind her desk to read the Washington Post and then prepare her morning briefing. She looked exhausted but really happy. She had spent the entire night at Steve's apartment… and she hadn't slept at all. Now it was time to concentrate on her work like the professional adult she was. She checked the Washington Post while having a big cup of coffee her assistant had brought for her. Suddenly, Dickie knocked the door and entered Kelly's office.

Dickie- I need to talk to you for a sec. It's important.

He did not look happy. Kelly saw a mixture of anger and sadness in his face. She got worried. What could possibly be boring him one day after the inauguration? She sighed and replied….

Kelly- ok, Dickie… please, close the door and come in.

Dickie did as he was told and then, without so much as a small talk first, he went straight to the point and stated firmly.

Dickie- Kelly, you can't date Steve Garret…

Kelly was stunned. First of all, how did Dickie know about her and Steve? Second of all, who the hell did Dickie think he was?? He couldn't just come to her office with that attitude and tell her whom to date. She stood up already feeling the anger growing inside her and said…

Kelly- that's none of your business. What I do with my free time…

Dickie- it affects the President and the entire administration… so it's my business. You can't date him; it's unethical and unprofessional.

Kelly was having none of it. She thought Dickie was just jealous.

Kelly- You can't tell me who to date. You don't have a say when it comes to my love life… just because you keep grabbing me and kissing whenever you are happy you think you have the right to come here and…???

Dickie interrupted her immediately. He didn't like what Kelly was implying. This definitely wasn't about his feelings for Kelly.

Dickie- this isn't about me!!! This is about the Press Secretary dating a member of the white House press corps…. I don't think I'm the only one who would have a problem with it…

Kelly took a deep breath. Summoning all the patience she had, she tried to explain calmly..

Kelly- Look…if I started a relationship with Steve… IF I did that… I would never let it affect my job. He and I would keep our work separated from our romantic relationship.

Dickie- oh, come on! Kelly, get real. Your can't have a relationship with him. It would hurt your reputation and his. It would represent a major conflict of interests.

Deep down, Kelly knew Dickie was right. It was wrong for the press secretary to date a White House reporter. But she wouldn't give Dickie the satisfaction of admitting it out loud just yet.

Kelly- He and I are both really good at our jobs and we care big time about our careers… as I said, any personal relationship we may have wouldn't affect our jobs…

Dickie- Kelly, most of the times your job is to hid things from him, sometimes your job is lying and misleading him…. While his job is to find out those things you can't tell him… you think a personal relationship can work out under those conditions?

Kelly didn't want to admit that Dickie was making a good point. That was mainly because she herself didn't want to see the truth in his words.

Kelly- You know nothing about making a relationship work, Dickie. Now, please, go to your own office and mind your own love life.

Dickie- FINE!! I'll leave. But don't come crying to me when the President fires you for doing a crappy job as her Press Secretary…

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YEAR 2019. February 28.

(a day before Mac's announcement)

White House.

Kelly entered in the office like she did every morning. She walked in while checking the front page of a newspaper. She startled and stopped dryly when she found Dickie sitting on her chair.

Kelly- Oh Jesus Christ! What are you doing here?

Dickie- good morning to you too… I just brought you something interesting to read…

Kelly noticed Dickie had a copy of the newspaper Kim worked for.

Kelly- oh no! The article about Becca is there…

Dickie- not exactly…

He started to read parts of the article Kim had written. It wasn't exactly about Becca.

Dickie- "White House Press Secretary, Kelly Ludlow, couldn't make any comment yesterday about the allegations that Rebbeca Calloway used drugs on the night of her kidnapping. Ms. Ludlow was also unable to comment about the next elections and she couldn't answer whether the President will seek a second term or not. The big wonder is, then: why can't the press secretary reply the most simple, straightforward questions??"

Dickie skipped a few paragraphs that simply talked about Kelly's "constant vamping" and how she often looked "ill-informed", then he read the most juicy part…

Dickie- "It seems very clear that Mackenzie Allen doesn't trust her Press Secretary. The reason for this could be that Kelly Ludrow had a torrid affair with a Senior White House reporter".

Kelly was stunned. She couldn't believe that Kim knew about Steve. They had been so careful to keep it a secret.

Kelly- oh my God!! Please… tell me she doesn't mention Steve by name…

Dickie- She doesn't…

He realized that Kelly was about to cry.

Dickie- don't worry, Kelly. Just… deny this. Say it's not true. Nobody will believe that four-rate reporter. All you have to do is deny it…

Kelly took his newspaper and nodded. Before leaving her office to go to the press room, she turned around and asked….

Kelly- does the President know… about Steve and me?? Is that really the reason why she doesn't trust me?

Dickie- the president does trust you…

Kelly- she doesn't, Dickie. She really doesn't trust me… I was the last to know about her… thing.

Dickie- Actually, there are millions of people in the world who don't know anything yet. They are all about to find out tomorrow… so, you are definitely not the last…

Kelly gave him a cold stare and interrupted him...

Kelly- Dickie!! You know what I mean…

Dickie nodded. He knew. It had just hit him how hurt Kelly was about the entire situation.

Dickie- anyway--- the President doesn't know about you and Steve.

Kelly- thank you…

She left her office and headed to the press's working-room. She walked straight towards Kims desk and put the newspaper on the desk, closing Kim's laptop in the process.

Kim- hey!! I was in the middle of something!

Kelly- that article you wrote was totally uncalled for!

Kim replied very sarcastically…

Kim- I did what you told me, I found another story instead of attacking Becca.

Kelly- Take your things and leave. Security's gonna take your press credentials. You'll have to call my office everyday and I'll decide if you get into the pressroom.

Kim- Who the hell...???

Kelly didn't even let her finish the sentence. She interrupted her and threatened clearly…

Kelly- One more word out of your mouth and every newspaper in town but yours, gets an exclusive with the President. Hunting season on me is over!

Kim took her things and left the press working room defeated.

Later that same day…

Steve confronted Kelly in the hallways. He nervously looked around and then he talked to her, lowering his voice so only Kelly could hear him…

Steve- is it true what the article says? Are you really in trouble with the President… because of what we did?

Kelly made sure no one heard him. Then he took Steve to her office.

Kelly- I'm fine, Steve. I'm not in trouble with the President.

Steve- we are off the record here…

Kelly- it's true… the President and I are good friends and she never keeps me out of the loop. The article was bullshit…

Steve felt relieved. He was glad that what he had done with Kelly didn't affect her work.

Steve- so… you know what's wrong with her.

Kelly froze. Was Steve starting to figure it out too? She played dumb..

Kelly- nothing is wrong with her… what are you talking about?

Steve- I'm talking about whatever caused her a heart attack… and whatever is making Gardner run instead of her in the next elections…

Kelly- nobody knows if she's running yet!

That was actually true. Steve knew he was on to something, so he pushed a bit more.

Steve- but something made the Vice President think that she might not run again. Right? That's why he's slowly launching his presidential campaign…

Steve had connected the same dots Dickie had connected months ago. Kelly sighed deeply and then she added very seriously…

Kelly- Steve, the President is going to make a special announcement from the mural room tomorrow at 7 pm…. I would watch it.

TO BE CONTINUED….

Thank you for reading this! (Please, send me some reviews!)

And thanks to Martha, who beta-read this chapter.

Quick poll: Should Kelly end up with Steve or Dickie????? I still haven't decided that, so…. please vote and I might consider pleasing the majority.