DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters or dialogue taken directly from the show. I do not claim to be a political expert, I am far from that, I am a biology major. Therefore I would like to preface this story with the notion I wrote this story out of pure love of the show and the characters. Thank you & enjoy.

Part 4: Monday, December 6, 1999

"So how was your date the last night?" CJ asked as we ate an early breakfast at one of my favorite Georgetown cafés, Diane's.

"It was good," I smiled.

"You slept with him, didn't you!" she laughed.

"Do I have that bad a poker face?"

"It's almost as bad as Josh's. Who was it?" she picked at her Danish.

"Um … Seamseaborn," I muttered as I took a sip of water.

"What!" she dropped her fork in the cheese topping and looked at me. "Sorry, I thought you said Sam Seaborn."

"Yeah … I did," I blushed.

"Mack you had a one night stand with a senior staff member of the White House?"

"CJ it's not like I'm going around telling everyone and I'm not some random call girl," I raised an eyebrow.

"How did hear about that?"

"Rumors."

"So are you two dating now?" she fished her fork out of the stickiness and wiped it off.

"No," I smiled. "We had a good post-sex talk and decided that one date and one hook-up was good enough for the two of us. We decided to not really forget it ever happened, but just go about our professional lives as usual. We're not going to make a big deal out of nothing and we hope that no one else does, which is why we're not really telling anyone. I mean you're different, but I know you're not going to take this story out with the rest of the trash."

"I guess so," she muttered then looked up at me with a curious expression. "So, um, this is weird, but is he good in bed?"

"Sam?" I raised an eyebrow and smiled. "CJ how long have you been wondering that?"

"Not long, just – "

"Yeah, he is," I suppressed a laugh at CJ's inquiring. "He's going to make whoever this Mallory girl is very happy."

CJ choked on her Danish.

Later that day I sat at my desk searching for the Education 405 Bill that was stuck in a folder and forgotten about. The television on my computer was open in a small window and volume turned down low. For the most part the Capitol Building wasn't too exciting; we were all waiting for President Bartlet's nominee to the Supreme Court, which next to Leo being a recovering alcoholic was the worst kept secret. Everyone knew it was going to be Peyton Cabot Harrison III.

" … Gone are the days of the best and the brightest," my head turned towards my screen as Congressman Peter Jack Ass Lillienfield spoke. I maximized the window and turned the volume up. "Stained, I believe, are the legacy of the great White House staffers. Names like Sleshindger, Sorinson, Rumsfield, and Persons have been replaced by a roster of Ivy League liberals and Hollywood darlings, one in three who, one in three, uses drugs on a regular basis. In case there should be any confusion about my meaning, I'm not talking about aspiring or decongestions … " My mouth hit my chest. I looked over at my shoulder; my brother and the entire staff were crowded around the computer.

"What the hell is this?" Alex frowned.

"I'm going to find out," I picked up the phone. "Get me CJ Cregg at the White House."

A half hour later I was running into the West Wing.

"Sam," I said as I ran into the first Senior Staff member I saw. "Sam, where's CJ?"

"In her office."

"What the hell is going on with Lillienfield?"

"I don't know and I can't talk right now," Sam darted off.

I knocked on CJ's door.

"What?"

"CJ," I walked in and shut the door behind me.

"Mack," she looked extremely shocked. "I don't have time to talk now."

"What is going on?"

"Mack, you're my good friend, but right now I have to maintain some level of professionalism. You are an assistant to a Senator, and I am a White House Senior Staff member. Whether you wish to see it or not, there is a line of demarcation and you must respect that. I'm sorry, but I can't talk to you candidly just because the President is your godfather."

I just stared at her.

"I'm sorry Mack," she stood.

"No, it's fine. I just wanted to know if they were trying to corner Leo, and if there was any way I could help, but obviously there is nothing I can do," I shot and walked out the door right into Josh.

"Mack," he jumped back.

"Josh, we need to talk," I stared gravely into his eyes.

"Sure," he led me to his office and shut the door. "What's up?"

"I can't give any details right now, but you must find out what Lillienfield knows. You have to find a way to get the same information he has."

"What? Why?"

"He's not after you or CJ or Sam … "

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying you have to talk to some sources and find out as much information as possible. It is not in my right to tell you the information I know until you know what Lillienfield's objective is and what he has."

"That's pretty vague, Mack."

"It will have to be for now … I have a feeling it's all going to come out in the end. I have to go, bye Josh."

"Mack, wait … "

I stopped with my hand on the doorknob. I turned to him, holding the straps to the backpack I had absentmindedly grabbed on my way out the door.

"Stick around if you can."

"What? I don't understand."

"You know the President and you know Leo. You've known both longer than any of us ever have, and you know them on a personal level deeper than any of us. Mandy says we may be facing some tough times ahead and if we had someone with some wits about them that would be great."

"I don't know," I bit my lower lip. "CJ just reamed me out for even asking her what was going on."

"CJ will get over it, but if something big goes down, our administration won't so easily."

"Okay … sure … I'll stay for a little. Where would you like me to be?"

"You can stay in my office," he replied graciously.

I couldn't believe the complete turn around since I last saw him. Our discussion obviously had meant something. His usually alert eyes were tired and sad. To his great surprise I grabbed his hand and forced a smile.

"It will be okay. You guys will pull through this," I said softly.

"Did anyone ever tell you have the most beautiful eyes?"

"Josh," I looked down as I blushed. He wasn't acting his usual self.

"Mack, give me a second chance?"

My head darted up, eyes wide.

"A second chance?" I frowned.

"Yeah, to do this," he leaned over and kissed me.