Chapter 10:
Take a look at me now…
White House. Same Day. Right after dinner.
After a long day of trying to do her job while coping with the scandal originated because Tim spent the night in the White House, Mackenzie could finally have a talk with Rod, who came back to Washington as soon as he found out what happened. Rod was devastated; he still couldn't accept the fact that his only son was in love with a guy. It was something that disappointed him very much. He had a terrible fight with Horace and now he was sitting in the living room couch holding his head, while Mac shook hers felling disappointed.
Mackenzie- Rod, I expected more from you.
Rod- look, I'll fix things with Horace… I'll try to accept this new "turn" in his life once I finish processing everything… it's just… right now I'm very angry and frustrated…
Mac still couldn't believe her husband had taken the news so badly.
Mac- Horace doesn't deserve that…
Rod suddenly got up and yelled angrily:
Rod- I'm angry and frustrated with YOU!
Mac startled with the yelling… Rod looked like he wanted to slap her so much.
Mac- I'm sorry I didn't tell you… but I had to respect Horace's wishes…Rod- he is my kid too… I deserved to know!
Mac- I know but he didn't want to tell you… what was I suppose to do? Break his trust? And is not like you never hid anything from me…
Rod rolled his eyes and very upset said…
Rod- sure Mac… turn this fight over you not telling me that Horace is gay into another fight about my dinner with Cristina Macalister …
Mackenzie shook her head feeling extremely sad.
Mac- I'm not talking about the dinner, I'm taking about the letter…
Rod was genuinely confused for a moment.
Rod- what letter?
Mac- the one she sent you the day before our wedding… the one you never told me about… the one you kept secret for 20 years.
Rod couldn't believe Mac found that letter. He defended his self as he could.
Rod- Mac, I only hid it because I thought there was no point in telling you… after all… I married you. That letter didn't change anything… you didn't need to know… but that's SO not the point, we are talking about Horace…
Mac had really run out of patience.
Mac- go talk about Horace with your precious Cristina… after all, she is the one who was supposed to be the mother of your children in the first place… She was supposed to be your perfect wife!
Rod thought that his wife was acting really irrationally.
Rod- Mac… don't be silly…Mac- I'm not being silly… I bet she would have really been perfect as your wife… I bet she would have been a great soccer mom… and I bet SHE would have told you about Horace…
Rod was loosing her patience.
Rod- you are right about that last thing… she WOULD have told me about Horace, because she would have treat me as her husband… because she is not a stubborn, control freak lady with this "wonder woman" complex who wants to do anything on her own… She would have actually made me feel appreciated and needed.
Mac's eyes fill with tear all the sudden and she hated that.
Mac- Go to hell!
Rod- Right back at ya!
Mac immediately stormed out of the room.
Very late at night. In the presidential bedroom.
Mac couldn't sleep. She was just laying in her bed staring at the ceiling. She couldn't stop thinking about Rod's words and seriously mistaken he was. She needed him more than anything. How could he not see that? She was a complete mess since he left. She needed him by her side; she should have never let him go to New York. Mackenzie couldn't help feeling that she gave up on Rod too easily, that she didn't do everything she could to save her marriage.
How can I just let you walk away, just let you
leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath with
you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all
Mac turned around and watched the clock in her night table. It was pass midnight, so technically it was her birthday. All she could think about was in the empty side of her bed.
How can you just walk away from me,
When all
I can do is watch you leave
Cos we've shared the laughter and
the pain and even shared the tears
You're the only one who
really knew me at all
So take a look at me now, oh there's just an empty space
And
there's nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your
face
Ooh take a look at me now, well there's just an empty
space
And you coming back to me is against all odds and that's
what I've got to face
White House. East Wing. Late in the evening.
The big birthday party was going on. Kate had really done a GREAT job organizing everything, the guest were really having a good time enjoying the good music and the amazing food. Mac looked gorgeous in the long red dress and she was trying really hard to enjoy her self, but she couldn't get her mind out of the fact that she and Rod were not even close to solve their problems. Of course, Mac and Rod were doing a great job pretending to be having a great time and pretending that there was nothing wrong with them, but both of their hearts were breaking. Of course, neither Mac nor Rod knew how much their separation was hurting the other.
I wish I could just make you turn around…
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to
you,
So many reasons why you're the only one who really knew me
at all
So take a look at me now, well there's just an empty
space
And there's nothing left here to remind me, just the
memory of your face
Now take a look at me now, cos there's just
an empty space
But to wait for you, is all I can do and that's
what I've got to face
Take a good look at me now, cos I'll
still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all
odds
It's the chance I've gotta take
Take a look at me now
Vince- fine…
Rod- I hope you are enjoying the party…
Vince- yes, I am… everything is GREAT… Kate is really wonderful at this.
Rod- isn't she?
At that moment they announced that it was time to cut the cake and sing the "Happy Birthday". Rod gave a really mad look at Jim and then left to be with the family.
After the cake was cut, Vince took the opportunity to talk to Jim.
Vince- Jim… Why is Rod so angry with you?
Jim pretended to be completely lost…Jim- What are you talking about? He is not mad at me…
Vince- look… I know you've never been his favorite but lately it's been like he hates you…
Jim shook his head.Jim- really Vince… I don't know what you are talking about…
Vince- Don't play stupid with me… I know something is wrong…
Jim- I don't play stupid, Vince… I'm stupid… frankly most times I'm just playing smart…
Vince laughed at that, and then he said in a friendly tone…
Vince- that's true… but, seriously, what's going on?
Jim decided that he could tell Vince. After all, Vince would never tell anybody and Jim really needed to get it out of his chest. He sighed deeply and said…
Jim- I kissed The President…Vince looked at him in horror and then said very seriously.
Vince- I REALLY hope you are talking about the President of our book club, because if you are talking about…
Jim cut him off a bit upset.
Jim- You know who I am talking about!
Vince nodded.
Vince- yes… sorry… it's just… What were you thinking, Jim?
Jim- I wasn't thinking!
Vince couldn't believe Jim had done something so stupid…
Vince- she loves her husband!
Jim- I know!
Vince- it doesn't seem like you do…
Jim looked at Vince with a very serious expression. Jim had been in a living hell because Mac loved Rod, so he was very aware of that fact.
Jim- Trust me… I know that.
Vince shook his head in disbelief.
Vince- I knew you were in love with her but I never thought you would be capable of doing something SO stupid…
Jim- I never meant for that kiss to happen… it was an accident…
Vince still couldn't believe that Jim kissed Mac. Very sarcastically said…Vince- an accident! I don't understand…. Did you trip over something?
Jim was a bit upset now…
Jim- Please Vince! Could you be a little supportive?
Vince- sorry… then, you kissed her… what happened after that?
This was Jim's favorite part. He smiled and said excitedly like a teenager…Jim- she kissed me back…
Vince wasn't very surprised to hear that, he knew that Mackenzie was in a very vulnerable state due her problems with Rod and she had probably kissed Jim back to feel better.
Vince- please… tell me you wisely ended that kiss, told her it was a mistake, apologized for being so stupid and the story ended there…
Jim looked at Vince a little embarrassed and said…
Jim- it didn't went exactly like that…
Vince- well… the only thing that would make everything really bad would be if Rod caught you…
Jim gave Vince a very uncomfortable look that could have been clearly translated into: "That's exactly what happened… and it was worse that you could ever imagine".
Vince- oh God…Jim- I know! Vince… I'm really sorry… I REALLY don't know what on earth possessed me to do such a thing… I guess I was really confused… I mean… I had just heard her send Rod to hell… and we were alone in the Gym…
Vince was confused…Vince- what does the gym have to do with anything?
Jim- I don't know! It's just… I'm NEVER alone in a room with The President except for the Oval Office… and in there everything is so formal… the gym, on the other hand, is not that Presidential.
Vince shook his head in disbelief…Vince- congratulations Jim, you have just found the stupidest excuse in the entire world…
Jim- Come on! Give me a break! I'm very hurt… I need to rationalize it somehow…
Vince- I'm sorry Jim… but when you and Mackenzie are alone in a room, Oval or ANY other shape, she will ALWAYS be The President and you will always be her Chief of Staff… and her friend… but nothing more.
Jim nodded; he knew Vince was totally right. But neither Jim nor Vince could say another word about the subject because a worried Horace interrupted them.
Horace- I'm sorry, guys… Do you know where my mom is?
Vince and Jim looked at each other confused.
Vince- isn't she right here in the party?
Horace shook his head very concerned and said…Horace- she disappeared right after cutting the cake… me, Becca and my grandma are trying to cover it… but people are obviously starting to notice…
Vince and Jim stood up… Jim- don't worry kid… we'll ask the secret service… She can't be far…Horace- I know… I'm just worried because she was a little weird when we cut the cake…
Vince- weird how?
Horace tried to find the right words to explain what he meant… Horace- I think she drank too much…They started walking towards the door of that room and they found two secret service agents guarding it. Jim asked them…
Jim- excuse me, Could you please tell me where is The President? it's important… her son is looing for her..
The agent looked at Horace and then explained… Agent- The President is in the West Wing right now… she said she wanted to be alone…If the agent thought that was very estrange, he didn't showed it. Horace, Vince and Jim thanked the Agent and then walked towards the West Wing. They searched that part of the White House until they eventually found Mac in the Oval Office. She was sitting in the couch and she was drinking what was left of a bottle of wine… without even using a glass.
Horace- mom… What the hell are you doing?
Mac startled at first, realizing that she had company. Then she got up, but she stumbled and almost fell down… but Vince caught her.
Vince- ma'am…Are you ok?
Mac- I'm drunk…
After saying that she started laughing hysterically…. The others just stared at her in shock.
Mac- I'm drunk at the Oval Office! Can you fucking believe it?
Horace- but Mom… the guests…
Mac continued laughing… and said…Mac- I know! can you imagine if they see me now? And your father would drop dead… he has never seen me drunk… that he knows off…
Mac was very drunk, but she still knew that people couldn't see her like that and that was the reason she hid in the Oval Office in the first place. Vince finally said…
Vince- I'll go get Rod…. he can put the President in bed while the rest of us try to make some decent excuse…
Mac protested… Mac- no! I'm mad at Rod… he hates me!Vince- ok… I'll get Kelly…
He left the Oval Office and then looked for Kelly… she found her talking to Dickie. When he was sure that nobody else was hearing, Vince explained…
Vince- the President is drunk at the Oval Office..
First Dickie and Kelly laughed like they had just head the funniest joke ever… but then they saw Vince's expression and realized that he was serious.
Dickie- oh… you are not joking… what are we going to do?
Vince- Kelly should put her in bed, making sure that nobody sees her and the rest of us just try to come up with a good story to explain why the President left without saying goodbye…
Kelly and Dickie nodded… then Kelly said…
Kelly- ok… but taking a drunk woman to bed sounds like a job for Dickie…Dickie and Vince gave her a mad look… then an idea hit Dickie.
Dickie- Rod should do it!
Vince- but they are on a fight right now…
Dickie- well… but if people notice that they both left… it will seem like nothing is wrong and that they are just "Celebrating in private"… if you know what I mean…
Kelly- Dickie, I always know what you mean…
They decided to go with that plan… they looked for Rod and took him aside to talk to him in private.
Rod- what's wrong?
Kelly- the President is drunk at the Oval Office…
Rod looked at them in shock… and then in a very serious voice said…
Rod- I'll give you 10.000 dollars if you tell me you are kidding…
At the residence. Presidential bedroom.
A few minutes later, Rod was helping Mac to get to her bed… but she wasn't so happy about it…Mac- Stop it! I can walk by me self, Rod… I don't need you!
Rod let her go just to prove her wrong. Mac tried to walk two steps by her self but she fell down.
Mac- Dam it! I bet Cristina Macalister doesn't get drunk… because she is so perfect…
Rod ignored that comment because he knew it was the wine taking. He simply helped Mac sit in her bed and took off her shoes.
Mac- and why are YOU helping me anyway? Where are the others?
Rod- they are saving your butt and thanking everybody for coming…
Mac- well… make sure they also thank Cristina Macalister just for being Cristina Macalister…
Rod felt completely devastated. He really missed Mac and he hated seeing her like that. She looked really hurt. Mac got in bed without even taking off her dress and closed her eyes. Rod looked at her and when he thought she was asleep he kissed her forehead and said…
Rod- I really want everything to be like before, baby… I wish I could turn back time…He looked at her one last time and then went to the guest room… He got in bed and tried to get some sleep but he couldn't. Several minutes later, there was a knock in the door. It was Mac, who had heard what Rod had just said about "turning back time". Rod looked at her confused… and Mac looked a little lost as well… she simple said…
Mac- I'm wearing a red dress… does it count?
For some estrange reason, Rod had never wanted her wife more… With a lot of desire he looked at her wife and said…
Rod- oh… that counts.
He pulled her for a very passionate kiss that he had no intentions to break.
To be continued…