Part 3

"Toby, she's here," Ginger walked in and handed Toby some more papers.

"You know. I'm the Communications Director, Ginger. I'm not supposed to do this," Toby whined.

"Toby, it won't be that bad…"

"I'm having a bad day," Toby got up slowly and walked toward the door.

"If you want, I'll go out with you tonight."

"Thanks Ginger," Toby smiled. "But I don't feel like getting beat up by your boyfriend."

"Yeah, he wouldn't like it very much," She blushed.

"Thanks anyway," Toby smiled weakly and walked out. "Here I go," He mumbled to himself as he walked out into the waiting area.

"Toby Ziegler," A woman stood up and faced him. Toby stopped quickly as she approached him. "Right?" She smiled.

"Uh…yeah," Toby was shocked. "I'm sorry. I was kind of expecting someone a little younger."

"I'm not that old Mr. Ziegler," She chuckled.

"Your father is a friend of Leo's?"

"Yes, my father was the one who got Leo involved in politics. My father is Ben Price."

"Senator Price?"

"Yeah," She smiled.

"I had no idea."

"Yeah, he's been in politics more than fifty years. I think he even got the President involved as well," She laughed.

"I've met him a few times, very nice man."

"Yes, he is."

"Well, Leo asked me to give you a tour. I have to warn you, I don't know as much as one might think," He smiled.

"Well, I'm sure I'll be interested. By the way, my name is Allison," She smiled and shook his hand. "But everyone calls me Ally."

"Well, I'll call you whatever you like," Toby grinned. He couldn't believe he was flirting with her.

"Where should we start?" She smiled.

"Well, I can take you to the Oval office right now. The President is at a briefing, so he won't be back for a while."

"Sounds great," She said as she followed closely.

"Well, this is the outer Oval, this is where everyone waits to see the President," Toby said as they walked in. "And this is Charlie Young. He's the Presidents aid."

"Nice to meet you," Ally smiled and shook Charlie's hand.

"Same here," Charlie smiled and gave Toby a thumbs up as Ally looked out the window.

"Stop it," Toby whispered while hitting Charlie across the head before Ally turned around. "Let's go into the Oval, shall we?" Toby smiled.

"Sure," Ally walked in.

"Shall we?" Charlie started laughing. "You have it sweet for her?"

"Don't make me hit you again," Toby warned as he walked in.

"It's bigger then I thought," Ally smiled.

"Really, it always seemed small to me," Toby laughed.

"That's because you're in here everyday," She pointed out.

"Good point," He smiled.

"Does it ever give you chills walking in here?" She asked.

"It used to. The power that this room holds is amazing. When I first started working here, I could hardly walk in without my stomach twisting in knots."

"And now?"

"It feels natural," He smiled. "If you want, we can catch the tail end of the press briefing?"

"Sure," Ally smiled as she followed Toby out.

"Nothing's really happening today, so the cycle is quite slow," Toby said as they walked in. They stood in the back and watched as CJ finish the briefing. "Come on, I'll introduce you to CJ," Toby said as they walked back out and walked over to CJ's office.

"They're relentless," CJ smiled as she saw Toby coming.

"Well done," He smiled back. "CJ, I would like you to meet Allison Price. Ally, this is CJ Cregg."

"It's nice to meet you Ms. Cregg," Ally shook her hand.

"Please, call me CJ. It's a pleasure. Any relation?"

"Ben's my father," Ally nodded.

"He's a good man. I've met him a few times," CJ smiled. "What brings you to the White House."

"Well, Toby was kind enough to give me a tour this afternoon,"

"Really?" CJ gave Toby a glance. "I hope he's not driving you nuts."

"No, I'm having a great time," She looked over at Toby and squeezed his arm.

"Well, I should let you finish your tour," CJ smiled weakly. "It was nice meeting you," CJ said and walked away.

"She seems nice," Ally mentioned.

"Yeah," Toby could sense something wrong with CJ, but didn't know what it was. He made a mental note to talk to her later. "Well, I guess we should continue."

"Yeah," She smiled and followed him.

"This is Josh Lyman's office. He's on the hill right now, so you won't be able to meet him," Toby said. "This is Donna Moss, Josh's assistant."

"Hi," Donna smiled.

"Donna, this is Allison Price."

"Nice to meet you Donna."

"You too," Donna grinned and looked over at Toby. "I was thinking Toby, did you find a date yet?"

"Donna, you told everyone before I could ask them," Toby complained.

"I was trying to help. Look. I'll go."

"Don't go out of your way or anything" Toby started.

"I took your advice. I told Josh I was leaving early tonight. He got mad, but he didn't say no."

"Thanks anyway. I think I'm going to have work to do anyway."

"Okay, but if you change your mind," Donna smiled.

"Goodbye Donna," Toby shook his head and led Ally to the Bullpen.

"What was that all about?" Ally smiled.

"You don't want to know," Toby laughed. "This is the Communications Bullpen. This is where Sam Seaborn and I work."

"Which office is yours?"

"Here," Toby pointed and led her in. "Sorry about the mess. It's been a long couple of weeks," Toby said while picking up some books from his couch. "Have a seat," Toby smiled.

"Thanks," Ally nodded and sat down. Toby went to his desk and sat in his chair. "I'm sorry we couldn't go anywhere else. This is the time of year where we have a lot of meetings going on, so all the rooms are booked."

"It's fine. I really appreciate you doing this for me today. It was terrific," She smiled.

"I'm glad you liked it,"

"What are you doing tonight?" Ally asked. "I mean, if you were trying to get a date."

"Well, I was trying to show CJ that I could get a date. Donna was the first one I saw and asked her. Before I got to the next person, Donna already put out the word I was asking."

"So, you didn't get one yet?"

"I'm still trying," He laughed.

"Well, I'm only in DC for two more days, maybe we could get a bite to eat or something," Ally said. "Just as a thank you from me," She grinned.

"Really?" Toby acted surprised.

"Sure. Maybe you could show me more then just the West Wing," She grinned.

"I would love to."

"Great," She stood. "I'm staying at the Hilton. Room 514."

"I'll be there around seven?"

"That's perfect," She smiled. "I'll see you tonight."

"Yeah," Toby smiled as she walked out.

TBC