This is another add on chapter. I re read the chapters and noticed that I had been missing Nathan. I hadn't dealt with him at all. This won't really be all that satisfying but I had to put my boy within my pages. Since I am a peace lover, I didn't really like the whole interoffice war they were having so I had been choosing to ignore it... but lets face it... Nathan would have something snarky to say about her situation. So here goes. It's pretty short.

I also wanted to deal a littel with Rod... establishe the relationship between Mac and her ex.

Enjoy,

S.K.

Debate

Mac told her staff and family days after she had married William. They were all happy, but were all waiting for the day when the news would hit the press. The interview with Oprah had hit the stands the week before and her ratings had gone up when the Q&A session was distributed.

Mac walked into the oval one morning, weariness etched in her features. "No worries, if you're tired I'll take the work off your hands." Came a voice from behind her.

Mac turned to her waiting area, and saw the Speaker sitting in one of the seats. "Ah, But this isn't a job for the elderly." She retorted and folded her arms in front of her. Nathan was impressed. The president had become less tolerant of his attacks, and he began to enjoy and appreciate the new dimension of their relationship. He liked her this way, her temper was more noticeable now though to the untrained eye she still seemed calm.

"Be careful Madame president, the political master mind that is Rod Calloway is no longer in your pocket." The speaker said coming closer to Mac. They stood face to face, and eye to eye. "All of the sensationalism you have built around yourself, has made it seem to the public that you're blowing smoke."

"What are you doing here Nathan?" Mac said beginning to get irate.

"I'm here to congratulate you on your marriage," Nathan said placing his hand on her elbow and leading her into the Oval. "And to wish you good luck on this evening's Debate."

"Nathan I'm a lawyer." Mac said leaning on her desk.

"And I... am a speaker." Nathan countered, "It's in my job title."

Mac laughed, "I guess you're right Nathan. Good luck to you too, because arguing is in my job description." She shook the speaker's hand, "Now if you will excuse me Mr. Speaker, I have an appointment with someone else in three minutes. Good day"

"Good day Madame President." Nathan said shaking his head as he left the oval.

"Our economy may be flourishing, but the companies on top need to stay that way to prolong the upswing." Nathan Templeton defended his bill as he stood on the opposite side of the stage from an incredibly bored looking Mac.

"Time," Greg Marshall the moderator, said, "Madame President your rebuttal."

"The economy isn't only run by the large companies, but it is driven by the small businesses that support them. If we push legislature that favor the larger companies the small businesses are bound to dissolve under the pressure and our economy is back to where it was sin 2004."

"Time, Mr. Speaker?"

"I think this should inspire small businesses to become a major company and grow infinitely."

"Madame President?"

"Not if you don't give them enough time to flourish, and if they do grow, there would be way too many bosses. There will be a crash..." The buzzer sounded, "and we will be back in the hole.

"Next topic, Social Security. In recent years, There has been the issue of social security coverage for the elderly..."

The moderator asked his question, and the speaker went on to give his opinion on the topic. Mac was really bored, and it was kind of bothering her because she wasn't supposed to feel this way.

"My administration has been working hard the past two years to get the social security issues cleared. Citizens have spent their lives working and putting money away for retirement in this mandatory account, and they deserve to get their money back." Mac stated when it was her turn.

"The issue here is that they are running out of funds before they are done." The speaker stated. "Not all of us elderly, as the president called me this morning are lucky enough to have a big enough nest egg so that we can live off of it when we are done."

"Mr. Speaker, If I had been allowed to finish, We are considering matching contributions to everyone's social security accounts. It still might not cover most costs, but at lest it would help alleviate, the fact that retirees are living longer now." Mac said as the buzzer sounded for her.

The debate was heated, and if a winner had to be declared, it would be a tie. Mac and Nathan both gave as good as they got.

Mac climbed the steps to the residence extremely tired. As she stepped inside, she noticed Rod leaving Amy's room. "Hey," he said to her with a soft smile.

"Hey," Mac genuinely returned the smile.

"I saw the debates," Rod said, "You did great Mac."

"Thank you," Mac said looking down on her feet. Rod started to walk out of the residence, and stopped as if he wanted to say something. He changed his mind and turned, "Rod... I."

Rod stopped and turned to look at her. "What's up?"

"I want you to take your old job back." Mac stated, "It's yours if you want it. You are the best, and I let you go."

"Grant it, it was a fair thing to do." Rod answered taking accountability, "I'll think about it."

"Good," Mac said starting for her bedroom.

"Won't William be uncomfortable with that?"

She turned and looked at Rod, then shrugged. "I don't know, would you be?"

"Yes."

"Even if he was the best, and I could at least trust him with my career?"

"Yes."

Mac nodded, "Well, the offer's on the table, anytime you want it."

"Good night Madame President." Rod said heading towards the door.

"Good night," Mac answered, "Mr. Calloway."