We get to know Mac a little bit better on this chapter. What she likes to do when she has time to do it and such. It has been months since she caught Rod. I skipped over the holidays and went straight to the day after the state of the union address. It is also a bit lighter than the previous chapters, but then we're back to rolling down hill again. This is my longest chapter.

Enjoy,

S.K.

Disclaimer: I don't own the lyrics to Mosh by Marshal Mathers 2004.

Evening The Score

"Hey Becca, Horace," Vince said as the twins walked to their mother's office.

"Hey Dude." Horace said shaking hands with Vince in greeting.

"Your mom is in with your dad and the mediator right now, so we are free to discuss that thing."

"What's there to discuss?" Becca asked.

"What kind of music does your mother like?" Vince asked.

"Old stuff," Horace said.

"Yeah Ancient." Becca added.

"She likes old stuff like, Black Eyed Peas, and Eminem." Horace said, "her all time favorite is Jimi Hendrix"

"Oooh, and Kanye West, and Aerosmith, Led Zeplin and The Roots." Becca added.

"Kelly Clarkson?" Horace wondered, "Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani."

"Definitely Alicia, and Janet Jackson, Green Day, Maroon 5." Rebecca continued.

"So basically every kind of music," Vince said with a smirk.

"Mom's really into music. You should come to the music room with us and check out her collection." Horace said.

"Now that I think of it, she's been deprived," Becca said thoughtfully just as the doors to The Oval opened.

"Deprived of what?" Mac said coming up behind the twins.

"Mom!" Surprise colored their response hoping not to have gotten caught talking about her preferences. Their faces hardened when their father walked out of the Oval with the Mediator.

"Hey kids," Rod said to his children uncomfortably. He hadn't seen the twins in weeks. Mac had filed for separation soon after the world knew about his indiscretion. They had started mediation and therapy once a week to see if they could work it out. It was looking promising. But he highly doubted that Mac would ever be able to forgive him.

After having missed Thanksgiving and recently Christmas and New Years with his family. Rod had recently decided to reside most days in New York. "Horace, Becca... Would you like to go to New York with your father this weekend?" Mac asked.

"What? No way!" Becca said, "It's your birthday."

"Yeah mom, you're finally going to be off for an entire weekend and we want to be here." Horace added.

"Amy's going with him." Mac said, "I'm just probably going to veg-out since I never ever get to do that."

"All the more reason not to leave you alone mom." Becca said looking at her mother.

Mac looked at Rod and shrugged an apology and walked back into the Oval. Mac never talked directly to him anymore, only through the Mediator. With a sigh, Rod looked at his children. He knew the vicious things that were going around in school. Horace had been in a few fights over it, and it was all his fault. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever," Becca said and walked out of the outer office, "Come on Vince lets check that stuff out."

"Later Dad," Horace said following them.

Mac leaned back in her chair and took a minute to recall the last session. It was all about Rod. She had let him talk, and actually listened to what he had to say. She came to the realization that she had known when the affair had started. It had been when She had doubted him when he was accused of manhandling that intern.

"You are always undermining me," Rod had started.

"Rod... no finger pointing please," The mediator stated.

"Well I felt like I was nothing. Less than a stranger in the street," He said, "It was worse, when you actually thought that I could have done what they had been accusing me of doing."

"Did that justify the affair for you?" Mac asked.

"Yes."

Yes that's what he said. "That was weak Rod." She mumbled coming back to the present.

Mac stood up and stretched. Amy was due any minute; she was to have a birthday snack with her before she left for New York. Her workday had been light due to the occasion. It was January 21st and her 47th birthday. The night before she had given her Second State of the Union Address, and the way her life was going it was probably going to be her last.

"Mom," Amy said coming into the Oval.

"Hi baby," Mac said opening her arms wide for Amy. Amy stepped into her mother's embrace and reveled in her mother's attention.

"Happy birthday Mom," the little girl said and headed for the cart that had been pushed in by a steward. She uncovered the platter and unveiled two slices of the tallest chocolate cake that Mac had ever seen.

"God I love being President," Mac said taking a slice for herself, "Thank you honey."

Amy giggled as she watched her mother delight in the chocolate cake as if she had never eaten one in her life. "I'm glad you like it." Amy said.

"Join me." Mac said signaling to the little girl. So Amy did. They enjoyed that afternoon together. They talked about school and Tennis.

"Hey Mom." Amy said

"Mmm?" Mac asked

"Why don't you play music anymore?" The little girl asked.

Mac blinked. She hadn't thought about that. "I guess I'm just too busy," Mac answered.

"You should play your Piano more mom." Amy said taking another bite of her cake. "You always look so happy that way."

"I agree." Mac said, and leaned back on the couch.

Later that night, Mac was finishing up paperwork. She was tying up loose ends before she left the Oval for the weekend. Vince poked his head into the office, "Ma'am,"

Mac groaned "Oh god, what is it now?" She was dreading an emergency or something else.

"I was wondering if I could take off?" Vince said, Mac looked up surprised he never left before her. "I know... but I kind of have a thing."

"Sure," Mac said with a smile, "have fun Vince."

"Thank you ma'am," he retorted, "and happy birthday."

"Thank you." Mac turned back to the papers on her desk. She sighed and leaned back in her leather chair taking off her reading glasses. She knew that she really didn't have to be in the office anymore, but she didn't want to go to the residence and not see her family complete. She was really considering completely dropping her guard and going back to Rod. He didn't have total forgiveness, but she could promise to try.

Just then the phone rang, "Hello," Mac said seeing that it was from the residence.

"Um... Mom, are you coming up soon?" Horace said at the other end of the line. He sounded nervous.

"What's wrong Horace?" Mac said mobilizing herself.

"It's Grandma," Horace said, "She's... oh god."

Mac's heart leapt, "I'll be right there." Mac hung up and ran out of the oval. God please don't let anything happen to my mom. Please tell me this is a cruel cruel joke. Mac thought as she practically ran to the residence. As soon as she stepped on the landing she could tell something was off. There were no guards at the door. Mac pushed the doors open "Mom?" She called out.

Suddenly there were people all over, "Surprise!" They all chorused. Relief, anger and then a bit of amusement ran through her, as she saw Kate gracious as ever serving Vince a drink.

"Happy birthday mom," Becca said coming over to hug her.

Mac returned the hug tightly, "That was mean, but worth it... I would probably still be down at the office right now," She whispered.

Becca smiled and walked away. She looked around the room. It was then that she realized that she actually knew everyone in the room. "Mike!" Mac said seeing her friend again. "Nice of you to come."

"Are you kidding? Turn down a White House party?" Mike said giving her a hug. "You remember Pamela." He said signaling his wife.

"Of course." Mac said hugging her as well.

"Happy birthday Madame President." Pam said.

"Oh god, don't remind me." Mac said and turned to see some more friends from college and high school and excused herself to go mingle.

A little Kanye West and Maroon 5 began to play in the background as she went through her friends. "Surely, you didn't think I would miss this?" Mac heard a particularly British voice behind her. The Prince had been... well just that since Mac had separated from Rod.

He had maintained contact with the president through it all with a weekly call to catch up with her. He was the one that had convinced Mac to try to reconcile. She smiled and turned to face William. "I thought you were in London." Mac said having talked to him that afternoon.

"I was on my way when I called you." William said giving her a hug.

"It's good to see you," Mac said then walked off to the other side of the room where people had not been greeted.

After a few hours, the twins excused themselves saying that this was now an adult party. She had a lot of fun, she let go of her inhibitions, all these people knew her as something other than the president, and those who didn't know her as anything else appreciated her humor and personality. The prince became more and more enraptured with her as the evening wore on and didn't really know what to think.

Mac sat on her couch having drunk her sixth mixed drink. She was feeling more than a bit tipsy, though you would only notice it if you knew how much she had drunk. Mac sat and listened to the din of conversation. A steward came by and handed her a seventh drink. This time it was a Long Island Iced Tea. She took it and sat sipping it quietly allowing the drink to warm her body.

As she sat there she felt a body plop down next to her. Mac turned her head and smiled slightly. "I think maybe I've drunk too much." William said eyeing her drink.

Mac downed the rest of the Ice Tea and put the glass down on the table, "I'll feel this all tomorrow." Mac said bopping her head to the sound of Eminem.

Come along, follow me as I lead through the darkness

As I provide just enough spark that we need

"This is rather odd," William said, "Eminem's 'Mosh' was the last song I expected to hear in the White House."

To proceed, carry on give me hope,

Give me strength come with me and I won't steer you wrong

Mac laughed, "That was the year I decided to go into politics," she slapped the prince's lap and stood up, "Come on, lets take a walk work some of that alcohol out of our systems."

To the light at the end of the tunnel we gon' fight

We gon' charge we gon' stomp we gon' march through the swamp

William nodded and tried to stand up. He reached for her hand, and she took it helping him out of the couch. He didn't let go as she kept walking towards the steps to the lower level.

"We gon' mosh through the marsh take us right through the doors, come on." Mac rapped along with Eminem as they walked out of the residence. William smiled at that , it was so out of place, but he liked it.

Jim and Dickie watched this and looked at each other. "Should we follow them?" Jim asked.

"No," Dickie said, "They are accompanied by the Secret Service and the Royal Guard, what's the worst that could happen?" Jim nodded in agreement and turned back to the guests so that they wouldn't notice the missing birthday girl. Everyone was leaving anyway. They had sung happy birthday and eaten cake. So maybe they could excuse her easily.

Once in the lower level, Mac led her guest and their guards on a walk around the White House grounds. "How are you doing? I mean with Rod."

"I don't know," Mac stated as she pulled him into the house again, because they had come out of the House without coats. They went inside via the west wing. "It changes, sometimes I want him back so badly, and then the next moment he makes me sick."

William frowned looked down at his hands. "How's mediation working for you then?"

"I am noticing things with mediation, that otherwise I would probably be blind to." Mac stated turning a corner and stopping in front of the elevator. She nodded to her Secret Service agents assuring them that she would be fine in the recreation area. The two guards posted themselves at the elevator as she, the prince and the royal guard walked inside the elevator. "Can we not talk about this anymore."

"Of Course," William answered as the elevator came to a stop and they walked out.

Mac rounded another corner and keyed in an entry code. Once she opened the door the lights came up. "This is my favorite place in the whole house," Mac asked walking into the Music room.

"Are all these yours?" William asked.

"Hardly," she said walking to a guitar next to the Grand Piano. Picking it up she said, "This was given to me by Lenny Kravitz, The piano is more my instrument, but this one came with the house. That sax over there belonged to President Clinton."

"Will you be leaving the guitar behind?" William asked as she slung the guitar on her shoulders.

"Maybe after I die." Mac said plugging the instrument into the amp. She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds she evoked. She learned how to play everything by ear so she tried to recall a rhythm she could imitate.

William watched as Mac started plucking out a familiar tune. She didn't sing she just played the electric guitar rift to 'Since you've been Gone.' She was so into it he didn't dare make a sound as he watched the most poised woman he had known in years; rock out with a guitar. "That was bloody fantastic." William said after she was done, "Why didn't you sing along?"

"It would have thrown me off." Mac said putting the guitar down then sitting at the piano and began to play The Turkish March. This seemed more fitting of her somehow, a classical song at the piano.

He smiled and walked over to the wet bar and grabbed two bottles of water, then came back to Mac and handed her one as he sat next to her watching her play. Between songs, Mac took a draw from her bottle. Some of the water dribbled from the side of her mouth and down her neck.

William watched the drop make its way all the way down into her shirt, which was unbuttoned to just above her breasts. It was more than his foggy mind could take, and as Mac lowered the bottle of water, he leaned closer to her and licked at the water beginning from the juncture between her breast up to her mouth.

Mac gasped then melted into the ferocious kiss that the prince was giving her. It had been so long since she'd been kissed. You're single now Mac, what does it matter? If you want it, take it. She thought to herself as she slowly brought her arms around the prince.

When he pulled away, Mac's breath was shallow. Damn, She thought looking into his clear blue eyes. She was very aroused, and wasn't sure if she really wanted this evening to end just yet.

William pulled away completely embarrassed, "Oh Mac, I'm sorry..." He didn't finish what he wanted to say, because this time Mac had leaned forward and claimed his lips.

His arms reached out for her hips. This was an invitation for her to straddle him and she took it. He couldn't really believe what was happening. This was something that he may have been imagining. He ran his hands along her back, causing her arch it. He placed his lips on her neck as he pulled her blouse out of the pants she had been wearing.

"There are cameras in here." Mac whispered and pulled away from the prince. She stood tall in front of him.

"I should go, I'm imposing." William said attempting to save face.

Mac looked at him and gave him a seductive smile. "I was just thinking of heading back to a guest room... We'd probably be more comfortable there."

Relief came over the prince's countenance as he watched the president button her shirt and run her hands through her hair. He walked behind her and watched her tall lean form and hoped that she didn't come to her senses before they got to the room.

Mac walked the darkened halls towards the staircase beneath the residence. As they climbed the steps, William reached out placing his hand on the small of her back. Mac turned to face him and saw that he was trying to make sure that she didn't loose that feeling.

She smiled and leaned closer to him, kissing him soundly. He pushed her against the wall and pinned here there with his body. Mac groaned craving the contact, "we have company." Mac whispered.

William startled remembering the Royal Guard and dismissed them as he released Mac from his hold. Mac hurried up the stairs hoping to find that the party was over. William followed hoping that no one would notice how aroused he was if the residence wasn't empty.

Mac looked around the corner spotting Jim and Dickie in conversation with Nora and Kate near the kitchen. She turned to face the Prince and told him to take the alternate hallway to her bedroom instead. "My room is the one with the French doors at the very end of the hall, you can't miss it."

"All right," William said heading in the opposite direction as Mac.

Mac walked towards the kitchen stopping in the hallway for to remove any tell tale signs of debauchery. "Hey guys," she said taking her finger and swiping it on the cake.

"Madame President, I hope you had a good night." Jim said.

"Are you kidding? I have been dying to see those guys again." Mac said with a genuine smile. "I mean you invited all of my friends, I had no idea you knew the Prince was my friend."

"That was Vince's doing Ma'am," Dickie said.

"The prince and I had a very interesting conversation before he left, I want to thank you for inviting him, it cheered me up a lot." Mac said smiling at them all, " This was, though not the best one, a really good birthday."

Kate looked at her daughter; she had color on her face, not quite as pallid as she had been for the past weeks. "Glad you enjoyed yourself sweet heart," Kate said.

"I am exhausted folks, so I'm going to bed," Mac said heading out of the Kitchen, "Thanks for starting my weekend off with a bang. Good night."

"Goodnight." They all said in unison as the president disappeared down the hall.

"What took you so long?" William asked after she had woken him from light slumber on her sofa with an earth-moving kiss.

"Just so they know I am present and accounted for," Mac mumbled unbuttoning his shirt and nipping hungrily at his chest.

"Mercy Mac," William said raising her head so that he could kiss her lips. With that kiss he drew her up and started to remove the shirt that had been keeping him from her flesh all evening. Mac helped him with the bra, and sighed when their naked torsos finally made contact.

Mac separated herself from him and removed her trousers, as he removed his. He came to her having stripped completely naked and stood in front of her. Mac looked at him and her breath quickened. He was beautiful. Her nether regions ached for contact but suddenly she felt shy.

"You're beautiful." William said coming to her and nibbling at her neck. He'd wanted this for a while now, and it was coming true. Mac just let it happen, she wanted it, but she was allowing guilt to fill her. That was until William pulled away and looked at her. She saw his intentions, and the fact that he seemed sincere when he said, "let me love you."

Mac reached her hand out to him to caress his face. "Love me," She whispered and he lifted her on to her bed. He made love to her. Weather they wanted to call it something else or not, William fell deeply in love with Mac that night. Mac forgot her guilt; she didn't even feel that this merited justification. It just was. Happy birthday to me, she thought as a soft moan of release escaped her lips.