Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, just have fun with 'em.
Author's Note: Info. About Alex's past coming up in future chapters! It'll add to the suspense.
Zoey was waiting for Alex by the time she walked in from school. "Aren't you worried that someone will notice you're hanging around here," Alex asked, dropping her backpack onto her bed.
"I volunteer here," she said, "Just about everyone in the nation knows it. And unfortunately, I don't think anyone's going to believe that Zoey Bartlet has a twin in a homeless shelter, if anyone here does say something." Alex rolled her eyes, knowing the other girl was right.
"Fine," Alex said, "What do we need to do first?" She crossed her arms and looked down at the other girl expectantly.
"Care to dance," Zoey asked, holding out her hand. Alex took it with a groan and they walked over to an open area.
"Now, when you're dancing, your partner's hand will go here," Zoey said, placing a hand on Alex's side.
"Watch it," Alex said, an edge of warning in her voice.
"Get used to it," Zoey bit back. "Hold yourself tall, head high. It shows confidence." She was recalling all of the dance lessons she had ever had. She held Alex's hand out, their arms slightly bent. "Place your hand on my shoulder." Alex nodded and placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Now, we're going to do the basic box step." She took a step to the right, yanking Alex with her. A few steps later, Alex tore away, laughing loudly.
"What're you laughing about? You're not doing bad," Zoey insisted.
"It's just…I was imagining the press headline if they caught the president's daughter dancing with the scum of the street," Alex said, tears filling her eyes as she laughed.
"Yeah, well it wouldn't be pretty," Zoey said, "Can we continue now? We have a lot of work to do." Alex took her hand again, still laughing at the image in her head.
By the end of the session, Alex had learned how to dance decently. "You're a quick learner," Zoey said, pulling her sweater back on.
"It's not hard," Alex said with a shrug. "Dinner's about to be served."
"I have to get back to school," Zoey replied. "Study session."
"Sounds like fun," Alex said, "Good luck."
"Thanks," Zoey said, "Oh, and by the way, you're not scum on the street." She offered a smile, feeling better when Alex returned it. She had always felt bad when she left the shelter for her own home.
"His son is Adam Scott, he's eighteen and attends Dartmouth," Alex said, popping her gum loudly. It was the second day of Alex learning how to be the President's daughter.
"Great," Zoey said, "Next?" She held up the next picture of the Governor of California.
"Easy," Alex said, "Arnold Swarzchenagger. Wife's Maria Swarzchenagger." She tossed the wrapper she'd been twisting in her hands aside, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Good. Next?" Alex sighed. They had been at it for two hours now and she was beginning to get restless.
"What kind of dinner is this anyways," Alex asked.
"My father's birthday," Zoey replied.
"Your skipping out on your father's birthday," Alex asked, falling forward in her chair. The metal feet landed on the hard concrete floor with a loud clang. "Are you nuts? Every media person is going to be there. I'm going to get arrested!" She stood up quickly, beginning to pace.
"Alex, it'll be okay," Zoey replied, "It's just a few close governors, Mom, Dad, Ellie and Liz. It'll be okay. Now, who is this?"
"Zoey, I don't think you get how bad this could get if we get caught. Impersonating the president's daughter? There's gotta be some law against that," Alex said, still pacing.
"There's not. I checked," Zoey said confidently.
"Well that's a relief," she said, falling down on her cot. "Senator John Hoyt of North Dakota." She sighed as they began to run through the list again.
It was the night of the dinner and Alex sat uneasily in the limo. She and Zoey had switched at the shelter again. They were to meet up at Zoey's dorm, like the last time.
"Are you alright," the secret service agent asked, eyeing the youngest daughter.
"I'm fine," Alex replied, "Just looking forward to seeing Liz and Ellie again."
"They should be there shortly after you," the agent replied. Alex nodded, looking out the window. The same sharp tingle ran through her body as they drove through the gates of the White House. She swallowed hard, her face paling slightly as she slid out of the limo.
She looked beautiful in the gown, the silver material sliding over her body gracefully. The dress was basic, with a low dipping back and thin spaghetti straps holding it up in front. The front had a gathered top, which revealed a little cleavage. Her hair was piled on top of her head, curls falling over her shoulders. She wore silver strappy sandals on her feet.
"You look beautiful," she heard a male voice say from behind.
She turned, seeing the boy named Adam in the doorway. "Hey," she said, turning to face him. "How have classes been?"
"Fine," he said, "Are you ready to go downstairs? We follow behind your mom and the president."
"Yeah, I' m ready," she said, adjusting the silver shawl she wore around her shoulders. She took his offered arm and allowed him to lead her down the hall.
"Adam, so nice of you to escort Zoey," Abbey said as they walked up.
"My pleasure, M'am," Adam said, "You look beautiful tonight."
"Well, aren't you sweet," Abbey replied. "Jed, we need to get downstairs."
"I'm coming," he said, "It's not like they can start without us." He held out his arm and allowed Abbey to attach his cufflinks. He slid on his tux coat, then took his wife's arm, tucking it into the crook of his own. "Let's go," he said, heading towards the staircase.
Alex took a deep breath, hearing the speaker announce their arrival at the ball.
The dinner went well, with her mother giving the toast. It was beautiful, Alex thought; she had never seen a couple more in love than the two in front of her. The familiar pang of jealousy hit her heart.
After the dinner, Alex allowed Adam to lead her to the ballroom. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart. She could feel the eyes of hundreds on her as he lead her out onto the floor for a dance.
She moved her hands to where Zoey had showed her, then began to move in time to the music. "Are you alright," Adam asked as they danced. He had noticed the distracted look she'd worn all night.
"I'm fine," she said, smiling brightly. "Just thinking."
"That could get dangerous, you know," he said, bowing as the music stopped.
"Tell me about it. May I sit this one out? I need to have a dance with my dad," she said, still holding on to his hand.
"Sure," he said, "I'll be getting some punch." He softly kissed her hand, winking before he walked away. Alex furiously fought to hide the blush creeping up on her cheeks.
She saw her father standing with a group of governors and straightened up, throwing her head back as she stirred up every inch of confidence she had in her. "Dad, could I have this dance," she asked, smiling sweetly.
"Of course," he said, taking her hand. "Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me." The group nodded, watching the president walk off with his daughter.
"You look beautiful, you know. More and more like your mother," he said as they danced across the floor. Flashes from photographers went off. She knew it'd be on the front of some magazine or newspaper.
"Thank you," she said, "you don't look so bad yourself." She smiled softly, trying hard not to step on his feet as they danced.
"You know, we got mid semester grades from Georgetown," he said, a twinkle in his eye.
"Dad, could we just not talk about that," Alex groaned.
"Straight A's, except for a B in geography," he said. "You got a B in geography?"
"Dad, please," Alex said, trying to avoid this conversation.
"I'm just saying," he said, "But you're doing good otherwise."
"Thank you," Alex said. The song ended and she kissed him gently on the cheek, wishing him a happy birthday.
"You're up to something," Ellie said as Alex passed her.
"Why do you say that," Alex asked, startled by her older sister's statement.
"You just are," Ellie said with a shrug. "Not sure what it is, but you're up to something."
"Whatever," Alex said. She walked back over to Adam, who handed her a cup of punch.
"When do you need to get back to Georgetown," he asked, studying to girl next to her.
"Soon," Alex said, "Care to walk me out?"
"Of course," he said, taking her arm.
Alex sat on the bed in the dorm room, the dress hung up on the door, wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt she had found in one of Zoey's drawers. She jumped as the phone rang and she answered it quickly.
"Hello," she said.
"Hey, how was the party?"
"Great," Alex said, "Ellie thinks your up to something."
"Leave it to her to pick up on something," she replied. "I need you to stay for the weekend."
"What," Alex exclaimed. "No way. Uh-huh. People are already getting suspicious."
"Alex, please. I just want to spend the weekend here. Please," Zoey begged. "I can't get back tonight and if you walk out, people will know something is up."
"You so owe me on this one," she said.
"Thank you," Zoey squealed. "I'll be back on Sunday."
"You better be," Alex said. She hung up the phone and flopped down on the bed. She changed into some pajamas and crawled into bed, thanking God it was Friday. She wouldn't have classes the next day and could spend the day in her room.