Disclaimer: I don't own them. Just the plot and Alex are mine.
Alex tossed and turned on the cold cot she lay on, trying to sleep, but the face of the girl she had seen haunted her dreams. She sighed and flopped onto her back. She pulled the sleeping bag she had bought closer to her chest, shivering. The rain that had poured down steadily had turned to snow. Her mind drifted back to the girl she had seen that day.
It reminded her of when she had been younger, walking the streets by herself, hoping to run into a familiar face, someone who knew her and could take her in. She dismissed the idea they could be related though. No one had ever tried to find her .
Two days had passed and Zoey couldn't get the image of the girl at the homeless shelter out of her mind. She had five days until she returned to the shelter and she wondered if she would see her again.
A knock on the door startled her out of her daydream. "Come in," she called, looking back down at the calculus book on her desk.
"Hey," her mother, Abigail Bartlet said, "What're you working on?"
"Calculus," she said with a note of disgust. "I couldn't get away with not taking it for another semester."
"I'm sure your father is thrilled," Abbey said. "Need any help?"
"I think I've got it," she said, "I can get through a few more problems before Meredith gets here to do my hair."
"Try to do as much as you can before the dinner tonight," Abbey said, "I don't want you getting back to the dorm too late."
"Yes mom," Zoey said with a grin. "Now go get ready before Dad has a fit."
"He can wait if he needs to," Abbey said, "I'll see you at the dinner." She bent down, kissing Zoey's forehead gently, then left the room.
It was Seven o'clock and Zoey walked down the hall to her parents room. "Come in," she heard her father call.
"Mom ready yet," she asked, walking into the room.
"Is she ever ready on time," Jed Bartlet muttered under his breath.
"Don't think I didn't hear that," Abbey said, walking out of the bathroom, attaching her pearl earrings to her ears.
"Good. You're in time to help me with my tie." He stood up, holding his tie out for his wife to put on for him. Zoey stood by, her arms crossed over her chest, watching her parents with a smile. For as long as she could remember, her mother had always helped her father with his tie.
"Thank you," he said, leaning forward to kiss her. "You look stunning as usual."
"Thank you," she replied, kissing him back.
Zoey cleared her throat loudly and they parted, turning to face their youngest daughter. "And you are beautiful as ever," Jed said, adjusting his tie.
"Bout time you noticed me." She smoothed her hands over the deep burgundy strapless dress she wore. A slit came up just past her knee, showing off the black high heels she wore beneath it.
"You look beautiful," Abbey said, kissing her gently on the cheek.
"So do you," Zoey said. "Can we go already? I have homework to get back to and I'm starving."
"Let's go then," he said, holding his arm out. Abbey looped her arm through his, leading her out the door, Zoey following behind.
The dinner was boring as usual for Zoey as she greeted friends of her parents and senators she had known since she was a child.
"Zoey, how are you? You look stunning tonight. Quite the lady," a familiar man with a British accent asked.
"Lord Marbury, I'm doing great," she said, accepting a kiss on the cheek from him. "And yourself?"
"Splendid," he said, "I was wondering if you had seen your parents recently."
"They're over there," she said, motioning with her hand, "Do give my best to the queen when you see her next." She smiled brightly, knowing her picture was being taken at that moment.
She picked up a glass of punch from a passing tray and sipped it. "Zoey, you do look beautiful tonight." She turned, blushing as she saw Adam Scott, the son of Senator Scott from New Hampshire say.
"Thank you," she said, blushing, "You don't look so bad yourself. I didn't think you were coming tonight." A warmth spread through her body as she saw him smile.
"Well thank you," he said, "Mom hasn't been feeling well, so I came in her place."
"I'm glad you're here," she said.
"Me too. May I walk you to your seat?" He held out his arm and she took it, allowing him to walk her to the table she shared with her mother and father.
She watched her father give his speech, his glasses perched on the edge of his nose. As always, Abbey watched her husband with love and admiration.
As usual, the food was wonderful, with tomato Florentine soup, a caesar salad and duck a'la orange and a rich raspberry truffle for dessert.
After the dinner was a dance, which her parents would be attending. She had reluctantly agreed to attend, for half an hour, then she could go back to her dorm at Georgetown.
"Are you going to the dance," Adam asked, walking up to her as soon as the dinner ended.
"For awhile, then I need to get back to Georgetown," she said, standing up. She took his offered arm, the familiar warmth she felt from him spreading throughout her body, followed by a tingle.
"My first class isn't until noon," he said, "We'll be back by then."
"Lucky you," she said, "So, how're things at Dartmouth?"
"They're good," he said, "4.0 and everything. God forbid the Governor's son get anything else." She laughed, but inside, knew how he felt. It was one of the many common things they shared.
They walked through the large doors, entering the ballroom. They had entered just as the music started and her parents walked onto the dance floor, beginning the first dance. As was customary, Adam took Zoey's hand, leading her onto the floor. Other couples began to join in.
Like a true governor's son, Adam was a true gentleman, well manicured and excellent dancing skills. He was, by far, one of Zoey's favorite people to be with. He spun her around the floor as flashes went off. They both knew it'd be on the cover of some national magazine by morning.
Half an hour later, Zoey sighed. She didn't want to leave Adam at the dance. They had actually had a good time. "I need to get back to Georgetown," she said reluctantly. "Thank you for making this night bearable."
"Anytime," he said with a smile. "Would you care for some company while you walk to the limo?"
"Sure," she said, blushing as she smiled. He held the dress jacket she had worn out, helping her to slide into it. "I just need to say goodbye to my parents." He watched her walk off, a smile on his face.
"Going back so soon," Abbey asked as she turned to their daughter.
"Yeah. Some of us have class tomorrow," she said, "I'll call you tomorrow."
"Alright, sweetheart," Jed said. He bent down, kissing her cheek gently, "Do well in class tomorrow."
"Okay," she said, "Don't work to hard." She kissed his cheek gently, then hugged her mother.
She rejoined Adam, who tucked her arm into the crook of his as they walked out.
"Adam, have you ever met someone that looked like you," Zoey asked as they walked down the hall. They were flanked by Gina and Will, another Secret Service agent.
"What do you mean," he asked, turning to look at her as they walked outside.
"I mean as in identical to you," she said. He raised his eyebrows, taking a deep breath. He debated on what to say next.
"Never mind," Zoey said, "it's crazy. My mind's just making more of it than it really was."
"Zoey, what are you talking about," he asked, grasping her shoulders.
She sighed, taking a deep breath as she chewed on her lip. "I saw this girl the other day. She looked like me. Just like me," she said. "Like a mirror image of me."
"Zoey, that's crazy," he said, "I'm sure it was just a figment of your imagination. Where did you see her?"
"At the homeless shelter I've been volunteering at," she said, waving her hand. "You're right. It's just a figment of my imagination. Forget I mentioned it." Even though she said those words, she couldn't convince her heart. "Good luck with the rest of the semester. I'll see you over Christmas break?"
"Yeah," he said, "I'll call you. I think we're going skiing or something."
"Sounds great," she said, "I'll see you later, then." She kissed him gently on the cheek, then climbed into the limousine. Adam stood back as the marine shut the door and didn't walk back inside until the limo had driven off.