Matty took a deep breath and wondered where to start. He decided to stall for time by offering Samantha a drink. She didn't want anything so he popped the tab on a grape Crush and took a long sip.

"This is a long story and I'm not sure where to start." Matty finally admitted.

"Kay, what's that Sound of Music song say? Oh yeah: let's start at the very beginning..."

Matty considered this for a minute, decided that he wasn't willing to share his nightmare and proceeded

to order his thoughts.

"You are right, I do love Boston and I never get tired of visiting it. Last time I went, Mom and I were able to move about freely. No one noticed us or the two undercover RCMP officers who escort Mom on visits. The RCMP knows how to shadow without looking like the Service."

"Well of course, there is a big difference in protection between an Ambassador and the President."

"Yeah well there is an even bigger difference between a President's protection and his sons. They are more worried about me."

"Of course, everyone knows how much your parents love you. If I was a terrorist, I'd go after you before I tried Uncle Sam."

"Right which gives them a false sense of secur..."

"What?" Sam noticed the colour drain from Matty's face. "Matty! What's wrong."

In the time it took Samantha, to get out of the bed and cross over to where he had been pacing, Matty got a taste of just how quickly his mind could process information, in a time of crisis.

"Wow, I must have turned too fast and I got dizzy. Give me a second."

Samantha took both of his hands and lead him to his bed. They both sat down on the edge.

"Matty maybe it was a sugar rush. We are going to have to tell your Mom in the morning. You need to get tested to make sure you don't have diabetes."

Matty knew that his silence would mean a few vials of blood and he was willing to live with it. "I'm sure it's nothing like that but whatever."

"What were you saying about security?"

"I've visited Boston so many times, in total freedom. If I go on the trip, it will be one long exercise in

the hassles of having a detail for everyone of my classmates. I'm going to be uncomfortable as hell, so that's why I'm not going."

Matty knew she would believe him because what he told her was the truth. He was just withholding on the other part of the story.

"Why didn't you just tell your Mom that?"

"She hates this freaking fish bowl more than I do. The last thing she needs is to feel sorry for me. She's got problems enough dealing with my Dad."

"I hear a cease fire has been signed in the War of the Seaborns."

"A temporary cease fire. I didn't want to give Mom a reason to escalate the conflict."

"Matthew! You better not be blaming yourself for any of this. Your Dad was the one at fault and..."

"Yeah, I'm not and I've forgiven him so...get out of my room now... blood oozing FBI chick."

Sam started laughing, "Do you really think insulting me is going to get me to move?"

"Yes, that was the deal. I tell you why I wasn't going and you leave me alone."

"Ah, but you had to insult me so the deal is off buster. I told you that payback is a bitch. I owe you a night of annoyance."

Matty ignored her and got on his computer. Sam stood up and went over to his bookshelves looking for something to read. She liked reading but she didn't devour books like Matty. She liked fun, mindless romances. Even though she loved Meg Cabot, she only read her books for teens not her adult ones. Jenna had given her a few that she felt were OK to read but she had no interest in reading adult books.

Last year, Mara had given her the best gift ever. Her entire collection of teen books from the early 80's.Mara had complete collections into the 200's of Bantam's Sweet Dreams Books and other collections like Sugar and Spice. Samantha devoured these books, as she could read one in a couple of hours. She finally had to ask her Dad to hide a few unopened boxes so she'd have something to look forward to. She had one box left and then the emergency box. The books in that box were to only be opened when she finished all the other boxes and desperately needed a fix. Ginger had gone in to the box and wrapped each book in wrapping paper so she wouldn't be tempted to just read them all. What Sam didn't know was that both Ginger and Ryan had slipped up to the attic and taken a book or two out of all the boxes to create their own secret stash for her. One that they could turn to when she was being impossible at 18 or had her heart broken for the first time.

Sam was considering checking to see if Mara was still awake and could suggest something when her eye came to rest on the photo albums. She rolled her eyes, Matty had a shelf of just albums that looked they were collector books. The spines were all faux leather with gold detailing, the albums were dark blue, forest green, burgundy, chocolate brown and black

"My aren't we anal." She stated as she plucked the third forest green album out. Matty had them lined up in colour order.

Matty had no idea what she was talking about and decided that he'd only encourage her if he reacted.

He went back to the game he was playing. He heard the phone ring and was thinking about getting up to answer it when it stopped.

"Oh wow, I remember this. I loved that dress so much. I wore it until it hurt."

"What are you nattering about?"

"Come look at this, this is the Christmas party 5 years ago."

Matty looked at the picture and remembered fighting with Jenna over the last of the cheese balls. Then again that happened at every party. He tried to remember something specific but couldn't.

"Isn't that dress just great? I wish they made older versions of it."

Matty looked at the dress with red velour on top and red organza and tulle on the bottom portion. "Yeah it's a pretty dress. Looks a little warm though."

"Well it was perfect for the fall and winter. I just loved all the tulle and organza, I always felt like a princess when I wore it. The last time I wore it, it was so tight I couldn't bend. It sucked so much since I'd grown a few inches and it was a great cocktail length."

"I'm not even going to pretend that makes sense to me. Can I go back to my game now?"

"You are such a boy!" Sam exclaimed.

"Thank God or you'd be giving me fashion advice or forcing me to paint my nails."

"Are you saying that if you were a girl we wouldn't be best friends?"

"I'm just saying that I'd never want to be a girl and have to deal with girlie stuff. I'm ignoring you now."

He was getting tired of playing on the computer when his door opened and Mara stepped in.

"My love, you may want to rethink Boston."

"Mom, I really don't want to go."

"I was just talking to Dani..."

"Cool she is coming down for ...oh they are all coming."

"Actually it's worse than that. Dani wants me to look after the girls so she can go away for her tenth anniversary."

"I'm sure the White House has a cold dungeon like room. Put the terror duo in there and loose the key until Aunty Dani comes for them."

Mara laughed, "Matty, I can't do that."

"I don't know Aunty Mara, they are pretty insufferable. I know I can't stand them." Sam added.

"They annoy me too but they are my nieces."

"So let Dad worry about them. They are his nieces too. We can stay here and they can stay there."

"Just go to Boston. By the time you get home they will be leaving that night."

Matty looked at Sam and gave her, his rescue me look. Sam smiled smugly and tortured him for a few seconds.

"Why don't you just come say with me that week? You can come to school and sit in all my classes and do all the work. I'm sure your teacher will give you credit for it so you don't have to do anything when we are in Paris."

"Sold, but I still don't want them in this house. They can stay on the second floor residence rooms. I know they will come in here and move things just to torture me."

"Fine but I really don't understand why Boston is a no go anymore."

"Whoa, wait a second. Mara aren't you in Anguilla right before Paris? How can you baby sit from a thousand miles away?"

"No I'm... oh crap we changed the dates." Mara grabbed the phone in Matty's room and dialled her sister. She ignored the look of pure glee on her son's face.

"Hello."

"Dani, please tell me you didn't book your trip before talking to me."

I'm online right now booking it. Why?"

"I forgot about Sam changing my May schedule. We are going to Anguilla two weeks later than normal. I'll be there and I can't very well watch the girls."

"I can send them down to you."

"Hello, you know the no kids in Anguilla rule."

"What, I bring them every year.''

"Really? Well I don't. It's just Sam and I there. We never even invite Abbey and Jed to overlap us."

"Well you'll have to make an exception this time." Dani replied a little more forcefully than she meant.

"Sorry, no exceptions. Not even for you. You'll have to either change the time or find alternative arrangements."

"You want me to rearrange my anniversary?"

"Yeah or make alternative arrangements. Hey we normally celebrate my anniversary in Anguilla. This is the first time ever we won't be there. Every other year we've either been there a day or two or arrived around the same time we did on our honeymoon."

"Really?"

"Yup."

"Jenna can watch them."

"No, Jenna can't even watch Matty. With Sam and I gone she is going to be beyond busy. Josh is going to be off the charts, so I'm pretty sure Jenna will be the one doing all the foreign work. I haven't even lined up someone for Matty."

"That would be because you didn't think he needed supervision."

"You are correct sister dear. What about Dad or your in-laws?"

"Please you raised me, not Dad and the girls don't really like their Grandma."

"That is because she doesn't cater to their every whim. The girls aren't exactly fond of me either."

"I know, but they wanted to stay in the White House."

"Dani, we don't stay in the White House."

"Still? I thought you were just redecorating."

"No, the only time we spent there was when I hurt my ankle and knee so I didn't have to do stairs. As soon as I could do stairs on my crutches we went home."

"Kay, well I don't want to reschedule so thanks anyway."

"Sorry Sweetie."

"I know. Say hi to Matty and hubby for me."

"I will, bye."

No sooner had the phone been put back in its cradle than Matty, started singing a version of 'Ding Dong the Witch is Dead' about his cousins.

"Cute. What the heck am I going to do with you?"

"I'll look after him." Samantha replied with an evil grin.

"I want him back in one piece."

"Does it matter which piece?" Sam chuckled.

"Mommy, if you love me you'll ...ask CJ to look after me."

"Really? I could do that."

"Thank you, Sam can be quite annoying, especially when she is trying to make a point." Matty stuck his tongue out at his best friend.

"Kay, now that I'm awake, we are watching a movie and then I'm tucking both of you in."

Matty was happy because he knew Sam couldn't annoy him all night long and Samantha was vexed until she saw the DVD cover of the Trouble With Angels.

For his part, Sam had not slept very well. He wasn't mad at her anymore so he missed Mara. The room was too silent without her gentle breathing and the hum of an air conditioner turned to max so she could snuggle beneath blankets and a comforter. While this bed was comfortable enough, it wasn't their bed. That fifteen minutes of silence he enjoyed while having his coffee was gone. Five minutes after his wake up call, there was a knock on his door and a butler delivered his morning coffee and breakfast. He felt compelled to start working before he even stepped foot in the Oval. He made a mental note to thank Mara for refusing to even entertain the idea of them moving into the White House.

Sam, hated to admit it, yet he enjoyed watching Josh, squirm during morning staff meeting. Most of the meeting was about how they were going to keep Idiotgate out of the press. Carol was still dying to rip Josh a new one and Sam noticed that his daughter was rather quiet. Once he dismissed everyone he asked Jenna to stay behind.

"Yes, I know you are having lunch with Mar. She told me."

"Yes, but that isn't why I want to talk to you."

"Kay what's up?"

"You were incredibly quiet earlier. No offers to help smooth this over for Josh."

"Nope, I've done what I'm willing to do already. The story didn't run last night did it? We will also get a heads up if it is turned over to the producer. I think I did a hell of a lot to save their horny asses."

"Well all righty then. The second thing I want to know is if you can feed your brother tonight. Stanley wants to have dinner with Mara and I."

"I have a meeting at four so..."

"That's fine, Matty can hang around until you get back."

"I thought the meeting with Ed and Larry..."

"We pushed it up."

"Obviously. I want in the Sit room today."

"You are working with Toby on..."

"What about our deal or are you ready for another war, with me?"

"How can you possibly fit that into your schedule today?"

"Let me worry about that. You do your job, I'll do mine."

"Well it's not like I could stop you."

"Technically you could, however I strongly advise against it."

"Don't forget your brother."

"I won't. Is that all?"

"Yes."

Jenna exited to the portico and sat down at the bench to examine her Blackberry. Her schedule was incredibly tight that day. She could either skip lunch or dinner if she wanted to go down to the Situation Room at the present. Since neither of those were an option, she wondered who's wrath she would prefer. After careful consideration, she decided she would piss Carol off. She owed Toby for getting her through the Ottawa trip.

Marie was about to ask Carol if she could go for an early lunch when Jenna appeared before her.

"What news are you going to darken my door with today?" Marie asked with a smirk.

"You don't have a door." Jenna replied with a grin.

"State your case before I zap you one blondy."

"Carol is going to need this. I can't make the meeting we are going to have in half an hour, because I'm going into the Sit room now."

"Whatever, teacher's pet."

"That's Miss Teacher's Pet to you." Jenna teased back before leaving.

Mara was ten minutes late for her lunch and came tearing into the outer office and straight into the Oval Office without skipping a beat.

"You are late."

"I know, sorry but I just made a deal with Vermont that Quebec will love."

"Really? Did you buy them for Quebec?"

"No, we don't need Vermont, we have our own maple syrup and Ben and Jerry's is widely available now."

"True, are you free for dinner at say six?"

"If you want to come home sure."

"Really?"

"Sam, I miss you. Despite my best effort and oh boy did I try, I still love you with all my heart. More than yesterday but less than tomorrow."

"Your vows, Je t'aime plus qu'hier mais moins que demain."

"Your accent has improved Mr. President."

"I've had an excellent teacher. I can really come home?"

"Yes your banishment is officially lifted. I've forgiven you and I'm at about 80 at the forget mark."

"Wow, that's very generous of you. Mara, I'm so incredibly sorry for my behaviour. Stanley...oh fuck."

"Samuel!"

"Sorry, Stanley wanted to have dinner with both of us tonight. I pawned Matty off on his sister."

"So we'd have the house to ourselves?" Mara inquired with a sexy grin.

"Stop, you are making it incredibly hard to be a responsible adult right now."

"Come on Spanky, don't you want to play Bambi with me?"

"Mara..."

"I know for a fact that there is an unopened can of whip cream in the fridge and half a jar of my fudge sauce left. I'll be waiting for you naked and if you please me, I may even break out the Altoids."

"What about Stanley?"

" I don't do threesomes."

"Ha smart ass, you know what I mean." Sam laughed.

"Have Josh invite him over for dinner. I'm sure Josh has a zillion issues."

"Kay, but after yesterday there is no office sex allowed."

"I don't even want to know. Now where are we having lunch?"

"I had a table set up on the basketball court. It's outside and no one can see us."

"Are we being served?"

"No, I'm going to pick up a picnic basket from Thomas. Why don't you go and I'll be along in a minute."

"Sure."

"Darling we do need to talk."

"I know but I think a session or two more with Stanley won't hurt."

"See you in two."

Sam whistled all the way to the kitchen and told Thomas that dinner would not be needed as he was going home. Mara found the table set with a dozen deep pink fragrant roses and a champagne bucket filled with ice and two bottles of Diet Doctor Pepper. She opened one bottle and poured it into two crystal wine glasses. Sam smiled at her from two hundred feet away and felt an enormous weight being lifted off his shoulder.

"I love the vintage you chose."

"I thought you would. I was half tempted to go for Grape Crush."

"Too much sugar for lunch. So what are we having?"

"I have no idea, Thomas said he'd take care of it."

Sam pulled out a container of pasta salad with sunflower seeds, two chicken wraps filled with grilled vegetables and a hint of cheese, a tomato cucumber salad and a huge chocolate chip cookie. They both dug into the pasta salad until it was gone.

"So what did Stanley say?"

"That I have issues with you, with Donna, with religious guilt and I don't express my feelings properly. I think he'd prefer if I blew up like you do instead of bottling it all up."

"Kay, I don't know what your issues with me are, but that I can understand. Issues with Donna though?"

"It's a long story. Stanley wanted to facilitate our discussion over dinner. I'm so happy I can come home, I'd like to table the discussion for a day or two."

"Sure, how about we get Ainsley, to feed Matty, Friday night and invite Stanley over."

"Sounds good to me. Did Leslie tell you about Matty leaving school early?"

"Yes, pass me a chicken wrap."

Sam was a little surprised that Mara didn't press him for details but took it as a good sign. Maybe resolving his issues wouldn't be as horrible as he thought. Lunch went well and when the alarm on this watch started beeping he sighed.

"Got to go?"

"I'm afraid so. I'll try to be home as close to 6 as possible."

"Kay, I'll see you then."

"Why do I need to be here again?" Matty asked Ed.

"Well, this was your idea Matty, so it looks really good if you are a part of the announcement."

"Doesn't it look like you guys are stupid because a kid had to give you an idea? Won't people wonder what the heck they pay you for?"

Sam tried, but could not contain his laughter, "Son, it actually shows that a good idea is a good idea. This administration adapts good ideas whether we create them or not.'

"Double speak Dad, you aren't going to fool any Republicans."

I thought you claimed Matty had no clue about politics."

"No, I said he couldn't care less about politics, he's actually good at it."

"Bite your tongue Dad. Can we get this dog and pony show over so I can go eat something?"

Twenty minutes later, Matty was on his way to the kitchen and Larry felt like he'd just been in a meeting with Mara. Sam dismissed them and got back to work. He wanted to be out of the office by 6:30 at the absolute latest.

Sam felt like he was entering another world when he finally set his foot back in the house. All the warmth and security wrapped around him as if it were a blanket and the trail of Mara's clothes up the stairs put a jump in his step as he took the stairs three at a time.

Sam had a late night Thursday so he was going in after breakfast. He couldn't remember the last time he had breakfast with his son. Matty came down the stairs and smiled at the letter M chocolate chip pancakes.

"Hi Dad, are you visiting or home for good?" Matty asked.

"Home for good, well until I infuriate your mother again and she kicks me out for a day or two."

"So everything is back to status quo."

"Yes."

"Have you ever had a dress made for Mommy?"

"No, I stay away from fashion. Your Mom have a billion clothes and is the expert not me. Why?"

"Just wondering. I've got to leave for school in twenty minutes."

"Anything due today?"

"No."

"Do you want more pancakes?"

"No thanks five are more than enough. So Monday I meet the press?"

"Yes at five o'clock."

"I don't have to wear a suit do I?"

"No."

"Good because that was a deal breaker."

"A deal breaker?" Sam asked with a smirk.

"Yes, I'll have my people get back to your people in regards to my other necessities."

"You have people?" Sam asked puzzled.

"Of course I do."

"People other than your mother, your sister and I?"

"Of course Dad, what kind of player do you think I am?"

"I never even knew you were a player."

"You are so out of the loop Dad. Crap I forgot something upstairs."

Matty ran upstairs to grab his memory stick. He'd spent an hour last night pulling up the correct chapter on the DVD and doing screen captions of a several frames. He had no idea who could help him but he figured that regardless of who helped him, he'd need Patrick's permission to go anywhere. He hoped his favourite agent was on today.

Matty said good bye to his Dad and grinned when he found Patrick in the car.

"I want to plan a surprise for Samantha while we are in Paris. My plan has many parts so I was hoping you could help me. I also figured if I let you know what I was doing, you would be less likely to have heart failure."

"That is one of the more intelligent things you've done. What's the first part of the plan?"

"I need to figure out how to get a certain dress made for Sam."

"Do you have her measurements?"

"No."

"Well you are going to need those."

"Great this is getting more complicated. I thought finding someone to make the dress was going to be the hard part. I can't exactly attack her with a tape measure."

"No, she'd hurt you and then you wouldn't want to surprise her. You could ask Ginger."

"No, then Aunty Ginger would try to help me and I want to do this on my own."

"What am I then."

"My silent partner."

"OK. What else does this plan involve?"

"A blindfold, a fake car journey, probably a few flights of stairs, security sweeps..."

"Why didn't I go be a doctor like my mother wanted." Patrick muttered.

"That would be because I'm more challenging than doing surgery with a knitting needle."

"No you are more Trouble than your Mother and I never thought that was possible."

"It's all part of my eeeevil charm." Matty laughed.

(Too bad he doesn't go away when I ignore him)

Patrick tuned out his charge for the rest of the ride to school. Matty was nattering about something while he wondered if he was due for a vacation.