A/N: A lot of people were complaining about the lack of separation between parts in the last chapter. Yeah, that was my fault. I forgot to check it over when I uploaded it. So sorry about that, I'll fix it sometime soon, and I remembered to do it in this one. Thanks for letting me know.

CHAPTER 4

Exclusive Interview With First Lady Christina Fryer

On July 16, First Lady Christina Fryer sat down with The New Yorker reporter Aidan Jeffries and discussed her childhood, her father, and the attack on America that made her, at 22 years old, the youngest First Lady in American history.

Aidan: So tell me, how has your life changed since the State of the Union?

Christina: Well for starters, my father's the President. (nervous laugh) Honestly, things have changed so much that I can barely remember what life was like before. I'll find old pictures of me and my friends or read my old diaries and be like, "My God, is that really me?" A lot of the things that were so important a year ago are so trivial now. Like last summer my biggest worry was whether or not my butt looked good in a certain bathing suit. This summer it's whether or not I can change life for the better for millions of people.

Aidan: Do you miss your old life?

Christina: Everyday. Sometimes I'll be sitting in a meeting and I'll start wondering what I was doing at this time last year. But you know, I'm honored to have this responsibility. And I'll do the best I can with it.

Aidan: So what happened to you on the night of the State of the Union?

Christina: I was in my dorm at Berkley watching the speech on TV. My roommate and I were both there. She had a date that night so I was doing her hair as we watched. When the broadcast went blank we thought it was the TV, then the channel. But all the major channels were off. Then the news studio came on and they said that something had happened to disrupt their feed, but they didn't know what. We sat there for a moment waiting, then the door opened and four Secret Service agents came in. They said I had to go with them. So I followed them out to their car and they brought me to the undisclosed location.

Aidan: Now that it's all over, can you tell us where that is?

Christina: No, sorry.

Aidan: That's fine. So do you still keep in touch with your friends from before?

Christina: I try but I haven't been able to talk to anyone lately. Guys, if you're reading this, I love you all and Larry, I will kick your butt next time I see you.

Aidan: So how about the staff? Do you get along with your father's senior staff?

Christina: They're very nice people. Ms. Cregg [President Fryer's Press Secretary] helped me so much to get ready for my first few television appearances. Mr. Lyman, Dad's Chief of Staff helped me get my staff together. The new Communications guys are great too. Mr. Calloway [David Calloway, Deputy Communications Director] was actually my roommate's professor last year so we have something in common. I don't really know Mr. Freeman [Gary Freeman, Communications Director] all that well yet, but he seems like a good guy.

Aidan: So what about your father? Has your relationship with him changed?

Christina: Not really. I mean, professionally it has. We're colleagues now. But we've always been close. My mom died when I was little so he raised me alone. I love him so much and I'm really proud of him.

Aidan: So what do you plan to do when this is all over?

Christina: Go back to school. I want to get my political science degree and maybe run for Senate someday.

Aidan: Good luck with that.

Christina: Thank you.

Aidan: Well Christina, it was great talking to you. Best of luck with your plans for the Fryer Administration and beyond.

President Fryer came into CJ's office the day after the New Yorker came out. He was so thrilled about the article that CJ didn't have the heart to tell him that it had become a joke in the pressroom. A few papers were even offended that they would thrust this on them. They felt he was forcing them to create good publicity for his daughter.

"It's great to have such a healthy relationship with the press, CJ." Fryer said, "I heard that the papers were clambering to get this story."

"Yes sir." CJ said. And it was the truth. The papers had been after it. But not for Christina. After no one would take the story, CJ finally had to bribe them with a half an hour alone with Josh on any topic. She had to remember to let Josh know.

"Thank you CJ." Fryer said, "I think this will help."

"Thank you sir."

"Do you think they'd be interested in a follow-up?"

She had to choose her words carefully. "I don't think any time soon."

"I guess you're right. I'll see you tomorrow."

Christina shrank down in her seat. That interview had to be the most embarrassing thing she'd ever done. She knew that CJ had had to bribe the magazine to take it. And the man interviewing her had been nice but there was that coolness, that "I don't want to be here" vibe about him.

It was a pretty short article with a few pictures. One of her and the reporter talking, one of her and her father, and one of her high school graduation.

She couldn't let her father know how she felt. He had enough to worry about and he'd only been trying to help. But this interview had just solidified her reputation as an amateur and a Daddy's Girl.

She pushed aside the article and stood up. It was late. Office hours were over. She decided to go to the Residence and go to bed.

On second thought, maybe she should go apologize to CJ. And whoever she had used to bribe the reporter. It was well past nine, but CJ usually worked late.

The west wing was empty except for a single light coming from the Deputy Chief of Staff's office. Christina poked her head in the room. Donna was sitting at her desk surrounded by textbooks and notes.

"Oh, hi ma'am." She said, standing up.

"Hi." Christina said, "I was looking for CJ."

"She left about an hour ago." Donna said, "I'm the only one here."

"What are you doing?"

"Studying. I have a Presidential History exam tomorrow and a Political Science 101 the day after. It's kind of motivating to study here."

"You take classes? But don't you already have a degree?"

"No. I'm a college dropout."

Christina started. "But you're Deputy Chief of Staff!"

"So?" Donna said coolly.

"So I thought you had a degree from somewhere."

"Did you need anything else?" Donna snapped. "I need to study to get that degree." Her eyes widened as she remembered who she was talking to. "I'm sorry ma'am, I just—"

"No, I'm sorry." Christina said, "I didn't mean it like that. It's just, it's a high position."

"I was Senior Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff." Donna said, "When the Capitol blew up, I took over for Josh while he was recovering. I acted basically as Chief of Staff for President Fryer, though we didn't have much of a staff. He was impressed by my ability to do the job and when he hired Josh as Chief of Staff, he made me deputy. But I didn't have much of a formal education so we decided it would be a good idea for me to take some classes."

"Oh." Christina said in a small voice.

"You're not the first person to do that." Donna said, "You wouldn't believe the grief I get in class."

"You do?"

"Yeah. A lot of them have the same argument as you. How can I be so high ranking? Even the teacher resents me. Then others want to be my friend because I'm so high ranking. I can help them when they graduate."

"So do you have any friends in the class?"

"No. Apart from Josh, CJ and a few others, all my friends are dead."

Christina had no idea what to say to that. Luckily Donna broke the silence.

"I'm sorry but I really have to do this. I'll let CJ know you were looking for her."

"Thank you."

"Josh?"

"CJ, I'm up here. Right ahead of you."

She was running toward him. He reached out for her and pulled her into the bathroom. But it wasn't a bathroom anymore. It was a cement coffin and he and CJ would be buried in here if they weren't cremated first. The flames licked at his body and deep within them he could see Sam screaming silently as the flames consumed him. Josh reached out his hand and it brushed Sam's as Sam fell to dust. Metal beams fell around them and Josh heard CJ scream as they landed on her. Another scream filled the hot, heavy air.

Josh jerked himself awake. The scream had been his. Heart thumping madly, he untangled himself from the sweat-drenched sheets and reached for the phone. He'd be angry, it was late, but Josh needed to know.

The phone rang once, soothing him slightly. It had all been a dream. Twice. He'd pick up and it would all be fine. Three times. It had not been a dream. Sam wasn't going to pick up.

AEM1 – Could it be Toby? You'll have to wait and see. Though I think you already know. And I don't know what's up with his kids. I really hope that they have a lot more about them this season. They have to. It was such a big storyline during season 4. And who knows? Maybe Dr. Vegas will become a hit, scoring 20 Emmys a year and a 10 season contract. (Please tell me you caught the sarcasm there)

Pendray – I'll post as often as I can. There's 6 chapters left so the rest should be up pretty soon. But everything starts on Monday, so postings will most likely be have more time between them.

Bartlegg – Nope, it didn't double-post. Thank you. Some of the next chapters get more serious so I'm glad you liked the funny in this one. I'm having fun with the quirky new characters and I'm honored that you think they're better than Wells'.

Shadowesque13 – You start on the 31st too? Same here. And naughty girl, don't be drawing during class. You must do your work. (Like I should talk, sitting in the back scribbling during the history lectures) What day in October is the premiere? I know it's late, around the 20th but I don't remember the day. Do you know?

Lexi Lyman – Since you seem so excited about the lifetime supply of bologna lollipops, have I got a treat for you! When you're reincarnated into your next life, be prepared for... ANOTHER LIFETIME SUPPLY!!! Heehee. And I guess I could blame you for the scene separation scandal if I wanted to, being my beta and all even though it was me being stupid. This could be intense if it goes to trial. Mwahahaha cough.

WhiteCamillia – Yeah, they've been pretty obvious about that plan. I mean, remember that episode this season when there was a lockdown at the White House and Toby and Will were stuck in Sam's old office? There was that part at the end when they were talking about how they needed someone to run again, someone with all these different qualities. And what is lurking at the back of the scene, in this room that's been cleaned from top to bottom seventy million times? A big "Seaborn for Senate" sign. Kind of cool, if a little clumsy, foreshadowing.

If you live in England and haven't seen this season yet, sorry if I spoiled anything for you.

Laurie Beth – You're switching universities? Good luck with the move and your new classes. You'll have to wait and see if she walks ever again I suppose.

Virgil-t-stone – I'm glad you've liked it. I'm going to try to keep you in suspense for the rest of the story. Well, except chapter 10 because then I'll be done and if you're still in suspense, I guess I didn't do a good job ending it.

Goodbye everybody!