Hi. I didn't know if I'd actually keep this promise given how busy I've been. Speed up the song "We need a little Christmas" three times and that has been my life. This is not the end, just another chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Five

"Remember his uppercut is weak and aim for his left shoulder as an old college football injury still bothers him," Felix said as they walked to the debate stage at George Washington University.

"Worst advice ever," Brenner said as she adjusted her green blazer. "If I wanted to beat him I'd just kick him in shins as he walks stiffly sometimes."

"Just remember to breathe Senator," Anna said.

"And that the latest poll shows fifty-eight percent of America wants you to be president," Reid.

"Thank you Spencer," Brenner said as she approached the edge of the stage where her husband, Danvers, and four other staff members gathered.

Brenner rubbed her hands together. "Okay folks I just want to thank you for getting me this far and promise I'll try not to let you down."

Derik gave her a quick hug. "We know you won't honey."

"Thanks," she said sweetly and walked up to the podium where a technician was waiting to fit her with a microphone.

Reid felt nervous for the Senator. He knew from experience that all the practice and preparation did not always equal a successful presentation especially if the audience wasn't engaged.

Anna moved next to him. "Relax Spencer. We've done all we can. Now we just have to trust her to get the job done."

"Why do I feel like this is the end of something?"

"Because the Senator only has one shot at impressing America going against Lewis. Stumping will be important and we'll be sending reams of flyers to every swing vote state. But this is it."

Reid simply shrugged.

Anna read between the lines. "The president hosting some sort of international security conference next week. Don't you have a friend in Interpol?"

"Yes, I'm surprised you remember that."

"Why don't you go say hi to her while she's in town and ask some questions we can use to prep Danvers?"

"You won't miss me?"

"We always miss you Spence, but the campaign is only going to get more intense in terms of traveling after this and meeting her might boost your mood."

"What if it reminds me of my twisted feelings about—"

Anna patted him on the back. "Try not worry about it and enjoy the time with your friend."

…

Don was dreaming of a bottle of top-shelf whiskey as they made their way to the stage. He tried reminding the Governor that the senator was weak in her knowledge of foreign trade but was told to shut up. There was still some hope as debate camp had gone reasonably well. Don thought the Lewis might try to throw a chair at the coach at the start of the session but the coach seem used to soothing huge egos so that was helpful. Lewis had shown signs of tempering his rage which Don thought was a miracle and what might lead to a successful debate.

Dale Lewis stopped short of the stage and looked like he might say something to his staff but didn't. Instead he kissed his wife on the cheek and walked to the stage where the sound technician was waiting.

At this moment it felt like something was ending. Brenner was the better candidate but the public was still slightly on the fence about her. Her family values weren't as strong and many weren't comfortable with a candidate who wasn't religious. This debate was going to decide the future of the election.

…

It was well after midnight when Reid arrived at his apartment. The debate was a rousing success. The senator stood her ground on the issues and spoke fluently on all the topics. It still remained to be seen whether the victory would carry over as the campaign had hoped since the governor didn't lose his cool once one and kept to the facts.

He looked at his door and noticed a slip of paper was attached to it. It was note from J.J.

"I hope you don't mind but I used the spare key you gave me to enter your apartment to drop off a few things!"

-J.J.

Reid unlocked his door and found balloons in his apartment. Across his kitchen he found a sign that read "Happy Birthday" even though his birthday was still two days away. There was a pile of gifts on the table. He opened the fridge to get some water and found a small birthday cake.

He suddenly felt tears in his eyes. This was all too much. How was he going to leave a team that still cared so much about him?