A/N: So, this chapter took a different turn while I was writing it. To give the back story, Alex is beginning to get tired of life in the White House. She's become more agitated as nightmares continue to plague her and she can't remember what happens. Let me know what you think…
Abbey knocked on Zoey's door, pushing it open to find her other daughter packing her bag. "You heading back tonight," Abbey asked, crossing her arms.
"Yeah. Alex's mad at me," Zoey said, folding up her clothes and sticking them in her bag.
"She told me," Abbey replied, "Why did you think she was going into law to make me and dad happy?"
"Because it's true," Zoey said, glancing up at her.
"Zoey, Alex has lead a completely different life than you. She wants to go into law because a lot of this nation's laws have dramatically affected her life. She wants to help change these laws, help form them. She isn't doing it to make dad or I proud," Abbey said, "We're proud of her as it is. We're proud of all of you."
"I know she's had a rough time but it seems like I'm reminded everyday of the privileged upbringing I had and she didn't and quite frankly, I'm tired of it. So, I'm going back to Georgetown with all of my elitist friends until she can get rid of the burden she carries," Zoey said, shouldering her bag. "I'll call you when I get there." She brushed past her mother, walking out of the room.
Jed could sense his wife was upset the minute she walked into the room. "Jed, do you think Alex is pursuing a career in law because she wants to make us happy," Abbey asked, leaning against the couch.
"No," he said, looking up at her as he slid his glasses off, "She hasn't really talked about her decision much. Why?"
"Zoey told her she was going in to politics to make us happy," Abbey said, "I think our honeymoon period with the girls is over. Zoey's tired of Alex carrying the burden of her past around."
"You think she's frustrated that Alex has received so much attention? I thought we'd be over that by this age," he said.
"Me too," Abbey said, "I honestly don't know what it's stemming from. I think she may be frustrated that Alex isn't exactly what she wanted in a twin. You know…outgoing, gossiping..acting like a teenager should."
"Does Zoey not understand that Alex is still adjusting to everything," Jed asked.
"I don't know," Abbey said, sitting down. She smiled wistfully, looking up at her husband. "I remembering thinking how close they would be when they were born. Now, they're fighting and it seems like there's so much anger between them."
"Abbey, they'll be fine. It was just a fight. I'm sure they'll make up," Jed said, "Alex told me about her test scores."
"She's not thrilled about them," Abbey said, "She thinks she's failed somehow because she scored the lowest in the family."
"What," Jed asked, lowering his glasses, "1500's not a score to be ashamed of. I told her how proud we were of her."
"I think some of Alex's frustration may stem from the fact that she feels left behind," Abbey said, "Zoey's already a semester through college and she hasn't even been accepted anywhere."
"She's just started applications," he said, "She's been out of school for a year now."
"We got her high school transcripts. She was a B-C student, "Abbey said. "She got herself through high school on her own, with out any help. It takes a lot for someone to do that."
"I think she forgets that," Jed said, "I'll talk to her tonight. We have a trip to San Francisco tomorrow. I was going to see if she'd like to go."
"I'm going with you," Abbey said. He met her eyes and knew she was talking about more than the trip.
"Alright. I'll see you tonight to talk to Alex," he said, "Love you."
"Love you too," she said, picking up her suit jacket and walking out of the office.
Alex was working on her Yale application when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she called, glancing up.
"Hey," Jed said, pushing the door open. "Your mom and I need to talk to you."
"Okay," Alex said, turning around. Her parents settled on the bed, facing her.
"Alex, you know we're proud of you, right," Jed said. "1500 isn't a score to be ashamed of."
"I scored the lowest in the family," Alex stated.
"So what," Jed said. "That test doesn't show much. I know you'll do great in classes." Alex shrugged, adverting her eyes from her parents. "Alexandria, you made it through six years of your education entirely on your own. You stuck to classes when you could have easily dropped out. You finished with a 3.1 GPA. That is something to be proud of. Your SAT scores don't show that. They show what you know. They don't show how smart you are, or how great you can become. You are a Bartlet, Alex. Like it or not. You'll get into whatever college you want and will become something great. It's in the genes." He stopped with a grin as he saw the smile slowly creeping across his daughter's face. "Now, get dressed into something other than jeans and a t-shirt. We're going out to dinner."
"Alright," Alex said, pushing herself up. She forced the grin on her face because she knew it was easier to pretend that everything was alright. That if she seemed happy, and then her parents wouldn't see that she was tired and afraid.
The nightmares had only gotten worse with each session with Charlotte. She didn't remember much more, but what she did remember had become clearer, more vivid, like she was coming out of a haze.
She went to the bathroom and put on some fresh makeup before brushing out her hair. Maybe tomorrow, things would all seem better.
"Would you like to go to the farm for Thanksgiving?" Alex looked up at her mother's question, eyebrows raised.
"Farm," Alex asked, looking up from the book she had been reading. She was curled up in one of the large arm chairs in the library, reading while snow fell softly outside.
"We have some land in New Hampshire. I thought it'd help you to get away from here for awhile," Abbey said.
"I've been fine," Alex said, closing the book. "Is that where you normally have Thanksgiving?"
"First, I know about the panic attack you had last night. Second, yes…we have had Thanksgiving there in the past." Abbey leaned back in her chair, her eyebrows raised at her daughter.
"Lemme guess…Zoey told you about the attack," Alex said, closing her eyes.
She had been walking outside, as much for a press event as for her own good. Zoey had been with her, talking about her other sister's growing up and how their parents had met when she had heard a shout.
She didn't remember what had triggered it, but the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her knocked her to her knees. She didn't remember falling to her knees, or rocking back and forth as tears fell down her face. Her hands went numb from the cold of the snow. She later found out that Secret Service had carried her in and Zoey had helped her change from her wet clothes and get into a warm bath.
Zoey would tell her later what had happened. A man had the picture of Alex bound with the gun to her head. She had frozen, her face drained of all color before she had fallen to her knees. She understood later why her hands were red and raw from the ice and cold.
Her parents had been gone to a lunch. Alex had pleaded with Zoey and the Secret Service to not tell their parents. It would only add to their protectiveness.
"Why didn't you tell me," Abbey asked, crossing her arms. Her words drew Alex back to the present.
"Because it wasn't a big deal," Alex said, shrugging.
"It is a big deal," Abbey said, raising her voice. Alex shrank back slightly and Abbey closed her eyes, reeling in her emotions. "Did you remember anything?"
"No," Alex said, shaking her head. "Nothing. It's like…a blackboard that's been wiped blank. You can still see the chalk, but you can't really read anything."
"Charlotte thinks you're getting somewhere."
"I'm getting nowhere with Charlotte. I just keep remembering the same things I have all along and I'm tired of it. It seems to do nothing but bring up these horrible memories that make me wake up screaming. And when I finally do wake up, I can't remember anything but the gun shots and the sting of the needle that pricked me," Alex said, pushing herself up. "But, if you think going to the farm is going to help me, then by all means, let's go there." She sighed, knowing she was lashing out at her mother for no reason. "The press don't go there…right?" She thought that if she could just get away for a little bit then maybe things would seem better. She just felt mad all the time recently and she didn't know why.
"No press," Abbey said, "It'll be you, me, dad, Zoey, Ellie, Doug and Gus, along with a few other family members. I promise." She saw Alex nodded, then sag into the chair.
"Then let's go there," Alex said. "I just…I want to get away from here for awhile."
"Okay," Abbey said, "We'll go there." She pushed herself up out of the chair and kissed Alex gently on the head before leaving to make arrangements.