Chapter Forty

Idem vetus amor 'Same Old Love'


September 21st 2000

05.54am

Fifteen Years later…

On this cloudy morning there were patches of blue growing, they were matched with a subtle hue, the kind that is soft and bright all at the same time. As Elizabeth outstretched her arms and climbed out of bed she peered through her window, it looked as though this day could bring rain or sunshine. She stood there watching, her body flooded with morning sedation as her mind began to refine its senses. She secretly hoped for both rain and shine, because that's when nature graces us with its most vibrant colours and the world gets to believe in the magic of a rainbow once again.

"Good morning " came the gruff voice from behind her she smiled instinctively before twisting her head to peer over her shoulder.

"Good morning you" her whole body twisting as a smile spread across her face. She walked back towards the bed and looked down at the man laid naked before her, she bit her lip at the sight of him and began to climb between his legs, draping her body across his.

'You know, I recall Blake saying you didn't have to be in work until later this morning, that gives us a few hours' he winked as his hands began to caress her bare arms.

'No it doesn't Thomas, I have a speech at Georgetown university today I need to get to work and prep' she smiled softly as she leant down and kissed his lips. Her hand gently pressing on his torso. She pulled away and smiled at him

'I don't want to move too fast Thomas' she whispered

'I don't think we are, we've been dating for about four months and last night was the first time we had sex, and that I stayed over' he pointed out a slight annoyance to his tone which Elizabeth picked up on. She pushed her body up away from his and sighed

'I knew this would be a problem, this is why I don't ever get to a point where people stay over, or complicate things with sex' she groaned climbing off the bed and walking towards her wardrobe.

'All I am trying to say is that this was fun, and I don't want to date anymore, I want more lizzie, I want a relationship with you' he sat up watching her rummaged through her clothes.

'But its not that simple, there is a whole process now especially with my job and the media and-'

'When are you going to just admit that you're afraid of commitment? And stop using the fact you're secretary of state as an excuse?' Thomas asked her. Her body snapped up right and she threw her blouse to the floor

'I am not afraid of commitment!' She defended herself

'Lizzie you are, look at how defensive you are' he stressed

'I am committed to many things and have been committed to many things thank you very much.' She argued, her back up as the annoyance in her tone lingered in the air

'No you are, you're right, but your job doesn't count, I am talking about commitment to another person, you're not committed to me.' He grabbed his bottoms and slipped them on before walking over to her

'Lizzie I want more, when you decide what you want let me know; or have Blake do it' he huffed as he grabbed the rest of his things and walked towards the bedroom door

'That was below the belt' she highlighted but didn't bother fighting for him to stay, she knew he was right. She heard the front door close and she leant against the wardrobe door frame, her mind drifted into places it had not dared to venture in for a significant number of years; truth be told there was only one reason she couldn't commit to anyone anymore; Henry. As quickly as the thought of him entered her mind she forced it to leave, she reached for her blouse that she had thrown and grabbed a skirt to match, taking herself into the bathroom to change; the hope for a little sunshine fading after this morning, now she was sure it was going to pour all day.

A little over an hour later and her motorcade had pulled up outside the state department, as she stepped out she groaned when's he felt the cold autumn breeze creep in and chill her to her bones, a shiver ran down her spine as walked inside and headed for the lift impatiently waiting for it it reach floor seven. She closed her eyes briefly and let out a sigh; why couldn't she shake thoughts of someone who hasn't been in her life for twenty years? He had no significant to her now, did he?

The lift doors sprung open and Blake greeted her with a smile and a coffee.

'Good Morning Madam Secretary'

'Just you? No lift ambush?' She cautiously stepped out and looked around for the rest of her staff. She took the coffee from Blake and raised an eyebrow

'Nadine is in her office making arrangements for later, Daisy is trying to calm the gaggle over I have no idea what and Matt is working on your speech for later today' He smiled as they walked towards her office

'No, no I don't need Matt to write it, I can do that. Its why I am in early' she explained

'Right, I'll let him know…or you can tell him' Blake paused as Matt walked over to her

'Arh, Matt I can write my little speech for later, it's about girls in education and the importance of that. I am sure I can muster something together' she mocked

'Actually Madam Secretary you don't have time, Russell Jackson has called and asked that you make your way to the White House Immediately' Nadine informed her joining them by Blakes desk

'Good morning Nadine' Elizabeth smiled sarcastically

'Are we really doing that everyday?' Nadine asked looking around

'I knew not having a lift ambush was too good to be true. Right, white house Oh and Matt I will write the speech!' She called back as she walked back towards the lift

'But you need all the details Ma'am…Ma'am' He signed as she ignored him and stepped into the lift with Nadine

'What details could she possibly need for a speech on women's education' Blake shook his head

'Geez I don't know how about the professors who's class she is speaking to, his name?'

'Oh, just tell her before she goes in, she won't forget it that way' Blake teased.

'Well in that case, it becomes your responsibility because I won't be attending, so its McCord. Dr Henry McCord'

'Dr Henry McCord, got it, I will tell her his name before she goes in' Blake echoed as Matt walked off. Blake wrote down Henry's name and folded the paper putting it in his pocket making a mental note to inform his boss later that day. The clouds outside continued to roll it; the atmosphere becoming static as a sense of pending doom clung tightly to the air; all hope of sunshine and a little rainbow vanished within the grey hue that fell above them.