Disclaimer: I do own Chasing Liberty, its plot, or its characters, but the guy who plays Ben is sort of hot.

Summary: Anna decides to show Ben a side of Washington he's never seen before.

A/N: I know it's been like forever and a day since I updated last, and if I've lost all my reviewers that would be pretty understandable, but if for some freak accident I haven't, and you're actually reading this, then review it for me!

Chapter Four

            Ben and Anna decided, or rather Anna decided and dragged Ben along, to have dinner at a quiet restaurant that was relatively tourist free.  She wanted to be able to go just one night without having to sign autographs and pose for pictures.  She wanted to be a normal girl having dinner with her normal boyfriend, instead of the president's daughter having dinner with her secret service bodyguard.  They managed to get seated and order their food without incident.  Things seemed to be going pretty well until Anna spilled her Pena Collate all over herself and her carefully chosen ensemble.  She glared at Ben who tried in vain to stifle his chuckling.  That's when things really started to go amuck.  After the initial draw of attention to the couple, the rest of the room began to whisper. 

            Anna glanced around nervously.  Everything had been going so well and now she had the distinct feeling it was all ruined.  Before she had time to suggest that they leave a rather large woman with wire-rim glasses that must have magnified her eyes to at least twice their normal size was standing before them with a camera. She looked expectantly at Anna, who returned her stare blankly.  This was supposed to be her night to be normal, and damn to the depths anyone who tried to make it otherwise.  She shot a look at Ben who only shrugged to indicate that she was on her own with this one. The woman cleared her throat.

            "Can I help you?" Anna asked with barely masked hostility.

            The woman looked a little miffed.  She stuttered at first, apparently expecting Anna to be far more accommodating.  "I, um, well, actually, I was really hoping… do you think I could get a picture with you?"

            "Do you intend to get a picture with everyone else in this restaurant?" Anna asked curtly.

            "No," the woman answered flatly. 

            "Then no you may not," was Anna's only reply.

            Ben was stunned.  If it hadn't been for their adventure together in Europe even he would have thought, judging from all the television broadcasts and news reports he'd read that she liked all the publicity.  He sat back a moment and admired her.  She certainly was more interesting than she appeared to the public, and hotter too.  Ben shooed that last thought from his mind.  It wouldn't do for him to end up all over her right here.  He was suddenly very acutely aware of almost the entire restaurant staring at them, transfixed.  Gently, he took Anna's hand and said, "Are you to go?" she nodded distracted and they rose to go.  This was definitely not the romantic dinner she'd had in mind. 

            From the back of Ben's motorcycle Anna directed him toward a small Bed & Breakfast on the outskirts of Washington.  It was virtually unknown to the paparazzi and most of the general public.  He looked rather surprised when they pulled up to the converted unremarkable two-story home. 

            "What?" Anna asked, "Suddenly you don't find me enticing anymore?"

            "Definitely not what I was thinking," he answered.  "I'm just surprised that you don't seem to have any resignations about this.  The last time it happened it ended with a chopper dropping down, taking you up, and leaving me to get a substantial amount of dust all over me, including in my mouth and eyes."

            "The last time you deserved it." Anna grinned mischeviously, "Maybe if you behave yourself this time it'll be more enjoyable."  She winked and walked in, leaving Ben to park the bike and wonder if he'd ever even come close to figuring her out.  He sighed and decided probably not, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy the time he spent with her.  Letting a wide grin spread over is own face he thought, some of it more than the rest, and followed her inside.