Title: Hide And Seek
Author:
Willow
Summary: A poker night, a date, a surprise and general light hearted staff banter.
Spoilers/Episode: Set in an a/u that leaves the show's timeline after season 5, Memorial Day. This chapter takes place a month after chapter 11.
Characters: Ensemble
Rating: PG
Author Note: If you've read this chapter before, you will notice that I've changed the ending. Sorry to anyone who liked the old ending, but on further consideration, it just didn't fit.


Part IV

Wednesday

"What do you know about astronomy?" CJ asked as she followed Josh into his office.

Josh frowned, "Is this a continuation of Monday night's palm reading session?"

"That would be astrology, I'm talking about astronomy; you know, space?"

"Ah," Josh nodded. "Nothing. Why?"

"Donna said you knew a woman from NASA."

"Yes. I also know the first lady, but I know absolutely nothing about thorasic surgery."

"Fair point. Although Donna did imply that you know the NASA woman in a way that I sincerely hope you don't know the first lady."

"I've met her twice," Josh objected.

"And they weren't dates?"

"No. What's the sudden interest in astronomy?"

"President's been invited to the opening of a new observatory while we're in New Mexico next month."

"Fascinating."

"CJ," Donna interrupted them, "Carol's looking for you, something on the wires you need to see."

"Oh I knew this week was going too well," CJ sighed.

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CJ looked at Leo, "Do you want to tell him?"

"You're the press secretary."

"He's going to want to go in there."

"Then you have to stop him."

"Yeah," CJ sighed. "Someone also needs to tell Charlie and Zoey."

"I don't think they'll care," Josh said. "They've wanted to go public since the beginning, it was the secret service who didn't think it was a good idea."

"I'll tell the president," CJ reluctantly agreed.

"I've spoken to Treasury," Leo added. "You might want to warn Charlie," he told Josh.

While Josh went to talk to Charlie; Leo and CJ entered the Oval Office. "Do have a moment, Mr President?" Leo asked.

"This doesn't look good," Jed said.

CJ hesitated for a second. "There are some photographs on an internet news site, The Herald, of Charlie and Zoey on Monday night. There's one of them entering Lagoonda and a couple of them leaving. There's also one of them sitting at the table holding hands."

"Obviously the outdoor shots aren't a problem," Leo began.

"They aren't?" Jed asked angrily.

"No," Leo insisted. "Anyone on the street with a camera phone could have taken them. I've spoken to Treasury about the indoor shot."

"How the hell did anyone know they were going to Lagoonda?" Jed demanded.

"The restaurant staff would have known," CJ replied.

"Treasury think it was most likely a member of staff who took the photos and gave them to The Herald," Leo added.

"You mean sold," Jed amended as Ron Butterfield and Max Phillips, the head of Zoey's detail, entered the office. "Ron?"

"Mr President," Ron began. "We're sure there wasn't a security breach. One of waiters has a cousin who's a cub reporter at the Herald."

Jed nodded. "Will it be a problem, Ron? You weren't keen on them going public."

"We'll increase her protection and we'll be monitoring Charlie's mail and email. There haven't been any specific threats."

"Charlie, you're okay with this?" Jed asked.

"Yes, Sir," Charlie agreed. Although he hated the idea of his mail and email being monitored, he remembered only too well what happened last time.

"Okay," Jed nodded. "I need to talk to Zoey," he said.

"I can do that, Sir," Max offered.

"No," Jed shook his head. "I think Charlie and I should do it. Let me know when she gets back."

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"Good," Zoey said.

"Good?" Jed asked.

"Yes." Zoey looked at Charlie. "We never wanted to hide it in the first place. I want to shout from the roof that I love Charlie, hiding it away makes it seem like we should be ashamed."

For a moment Jed wondered whether Zoey has orchestrated this whole thing, she certainly didn't look surprised. But he told himself that she would never have been that stupid. "No one thinks you should be ashamed," he said. "Although you don't seem surprised by the photos?"

"I saw them at college, they're on the internet. A search of Google News brought them up."

"But you didn't think to tell anyone?" Jed asked.

"I know I should have done," Zoey admitted. "But I'm still glad people know. Aren't you?" she asked Charlie.

"Of course I am, now we can stop sneaking around," he replied, but he knew it wasn't going to be that simple, at least not for the next two years.

"It'll mean your protection will be increased," Jed told her. "Especially when you're out together."

"I know," Zoey agreed.

"Charlie, can you give us a minute?" Jed asked and waited until Charlie had left the room. "Did you plan this?" he asked his daughter.

"What difference would it make?"

"For God's sake, Zoey," Jed replied angrily. "It's Charlie's life that you're putting at risk. He was the target at Rosslyn, not you or me, Charlie."

"You think I don't know that?" Zoey was equally angry. "You really think I'd do anything to endanger any of us? Do you think I want to see you or mom or Charlie or the staff in harm's way after what happened before? Of course I didn't plan this. How stupid do you think I am?"

"I had to ask," Jed replied. "You just don't seem surprised or worried."

"Like I said, I saw the pictures at college. One of my friends does searches on Google News everyday for me, Charlie, Sam and Josh."

"Sam and Josh?"

"She likes them," Zoey shrugged. "Anyway, she found the pictures of me and Charlie. At first I thought they were old ones. I know I should have told someone. But I didn't arrange it. Of course I'm worried, but I'm not going to let Charlie know that. That was part of what broke us up last time, I'm not going to let that happen again."

"Okay."

"What's going to happen now?" she asked.

Jed told her about the new Secret Service measures involving her and Charlie. "CJ isn't going to mention it unless someone asks and then she'll say that it's a private matter."

"Okay," Zoey agreed. "Can I talk to Charlie now?"

"Yes, but he's still working so don't keep him too long," Jed smiled. "One thing though," he added. "You want to tell your mother?"

Part 5