Washington, D.C
"CJ!"
"CJ!"
"CJ!"
The sound was so familiar. Walking into the press room, as she did every day, CJ Cregg walked up to the podium and put her notes down.
"Okay. Let's get started. Katie."
"What can you tell us about the First Lady's whereabouts right now?"
"As you know, Mrs. Bartlet has taken Zoey to Europe for a few weeks. I'm not 100 sure where they are at this moment, but I believe they're in France. Mark."
"Zoey Bartlet was supposed to spend the summer in France with her, what I assume to be former, boyfriend. Will she be visiting him, or his family while there?"
"No. I can't see why she would want to."
"CJ, who exactly is with them in Europe?"
"Uh…just both of their details."
"The First Lady didn't bring Amy Gardner?"
"No. Amy's here, running the East Wing. From what I know, Mrs. Bartlet is keeping in touch with her office daily. Arthur."
"Will the President be joining his wife and daughter at any point during the trip?"
"No, the President will be here in Washington until their return."
"Excuse me. I have a follow-up. Will they be returning to the White House or to New Hampshire?"
"I don't have any information on that, but I will let you know when I do. It's very possible that they'll want to stay in New Hampshire when they return. Danny."
"Should we take this trip as an indication that there is some trouble in the Bartlet marriage?"
"No. That is not why the First Lady went to Europe."
"But there's some trouble?"
"I didn't say that. I don't comment on the state of the Bartlets' marriage. I can tell you that the President wishes he could be with them and is eagerly awaiting their return. Ok, that's all for now. Thanks, everyone."
With that, she stepped down from the podium, and strode out of the press room. Danny Concannon was hot on her tail, as usual.
"CJ, I have a quote from Mrs. Bartlet before she left Washington, would you care to comment on it?" Danny asked.
CJ sighed. Abbey Bartlet + reportersstress. That was an equation she knew very well.
"What is it?"
"'I'm leaving because the events of late have all been too much. I just need a break from it all.'"
"Well, I…I'm sure she just means Zoey's abduction."
"You don't think 'it all' implies something more than that?" Danny said.
"What are you getting at, Danny? I really don't have time to…"
"I think there's something going on between the President and the First Lady."
"I told you, I don't comment on the state of the Bartlets' marriage."
"Yeah, but you know something. What is it? Why is Mrs. Bartlet angry at him?"
CJ rolled her eyes.
"Why is she ever angry at him, Danny? The First Lady is very volatile and has a tendency to lose her head. That doesn't mean their marriage is in trouble."
"So she's lost her head?"
"No," CJ replied, quietly. "Actually she hasn't."
"You think she's going to?"
"I think the First Couple's relationship is none of your business, Danny."
"Well, I think something's up. And I'm going to run the story."
"With what sources?" CJ questioned.
"I've got some."
"Who!"
"Mrs. Bartlet."
Versailles, France
Abbey and Zoey Bartlet stood in the courtyard of the palace in Versailles. Abbey had been to Versailles before, but the sight of the palace never failed to astound her. Zoey, too, was left speechless from the moment they arrived at the palace.
"Mom! I'm going to go over there and take some pictures!" Zoey called, pointing to the other side of the courtyard.
"Okay!"
Zoey scurried away with her camera, her agents trailing close behind her. Abbey walked slowly around the courtyard, admiring the scenery with awe. It had been over twenty years since she had been in Versailles, standing in the very place she now stood. Except then, she wasn't alone. Then, she had been with the only man she ever wanted to share Versailles with. And now the only men she shared it with were her agents. She fought the urge to grab her cell phone out of her purse and call him. But no. She wouldn't let this be her downfall. She was not going to give in so easily. It didn't matter how much she wanted him with her, wanted to talk to him, hold him. She missed their playful banter, she missed laughing with him, even arguing with him. But that was all done now. For awhile at least.
Zoey stood in the garden, frantically taking pictures with her digital camera left and right. When she had taken all the pictures she possibly could without being too redundant, she stepped back and took in the scenery with her eyes this time.
"Lovely, isn't it?"
Zoey nearly jumped out of her skin. She glanced back to make sure her agents were close by before she responded to the unknown, much older man with the British accent standing beside her.
"Yes, it is," she replied, calmly.
"Is this your first time in Versailles?"
"Uh…yes. First time," Zoey said, not looking at him.
"I'm sorry, you're probably wondering who this strange British man bothering you is. I should have introduced myself. I'm Tony Prescott. Sir Anthony, if you want to be precise."
Zoey smiled and held out her hand.
"Zoey Bartlet."
He shook it, taking in her appearance and realizing exactly who she was.
"My God. I didn't recognize you, I'm sorry."
Zoey giggled.
"It's okay."
"You look splendid. I can't tell you how glad I was to find out that you were safe and sound. I was so worried for you, and for your parents."
"Thanks."
"I don't know why I'm so surprised to see you here, I heard your mother had taken you to Europe."
"Yeah, for awhile. It's a nice change."
"Well, I should say so! Must be a welcome change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C."
"Yeah. To tell you the truth, I'm glad to be away. It just gets overwhelming sometimes," Zoey answered.
"I understand that. Try London."
"Oh, I would LOVE to see London!"
"You wouldn't if you lived there, dear."
Zoey laughed.
"No, I guess not."
Tony glanced over to see a few members of Zoey's detail standing guard nearby.
"Secret Service?"
Zoey nodded.
"Yeah."
"A pain, aren't they?"
"I used to think so," Zoey replied. "But then…"
"Ah, right. Handy chaps to have around, eh?"
She laughed.
"Yeah."
"Your mother's here with you?" Tony questioned.
"Uh…yeah," Zoey said, turning and looking around. "She's around here somewhere. Just look for the tiny woman in hooker boots swarmed by agents- that's Mom."
Tony grinned at her.
"Perhaps I'll go scope her out. I'd love to meet her."
"I'm sure she'd love to meet you. Oh! There she is," Zoey said, motioning toward the crowd of agents moving towards them.
"Where?" Tony asked.
He laughed as he squinted, trying to find her consumed by the men and women in black.
"Somewhere in there." She waved them over. "Mom!"
The agents stopped moving and Abbey stepped out from behind them. She was indeed wearing her favorite, oft-worn hooker boots, along with light blue tank top and a tan, knee-length skirt. She lifted her sunglasses up onto her head, trying to make out the figure standing beside her daughter. He looked somewhat familiar, but his name escaped her. But one thing was certain about him-he was mesmerized by her.