Washington, D.C.
Josh Lyman stood before the second largest office in the East Wing, staring contemplatively at the closed door. There had been a time when that door was always open, regardless of who wanted to enter. In the last few months, however, it was rarely open and visitors were rarely welcome. Josh tried to make himself the one exception to that rule, but suffice it to say, it didn't always work out for him.
Within the office's closed door, the lights were out and the blinds were drawn. The only light source in the room was provided by the computer screensaver. The couch across from the desk had become a sanctuary for Amy Gardner. Many nights, she didn't even bother to leave the office. The thought of having to leave her own bed after a sufficient night's sleep was too much, so she figured if she never went home, she would never have to experience such agony. But there was one downside to making the office her motel. Josh Lyman was that downside.
"Amy?"
She moaned in discontent at the incessant knocking and the dreaded repeating of her name.
"Go away!" Amy murmured, almost incoherently.
"Amy!" He continued to call.
"Leave me alone!"
"I'm coming in."
"Open that door and die, Lyman," she warned him.
"I'll risk it."
With the opening of the door came the overwhelming influx of light, pouring into the office. She pulled the blanket over her head in an effort to sheild her eyes from the light.
"Hey," Josh said. "It's seven o'clock. Get up."
"Make me."
"Don't tempt me."
She reluctantly pulled the blanket down and looked up at him through squinted eyes.
"You brought bagels."
"And cream cheese," Josh said.
"Coffee?"
"Didn't have enough hands."
"Forget it," Amy replied, pulling the blanket over her head once more.
He lowered himself onto the arm of the couch and dangled the bagel over her blanket-covered head.
"You better not be holding a bagel over my head," Amy said.
"You'll never know if you don't toss the blanket and open your eyes"
She threw the blanket out of her way and grabbed the bagel from his hands.
"How the hell do you get past Secret Service every morning?"
"Bribery," Josh answered. "Like many people in this building, the agents are suckers for a good bagel."
"And cream cheese."
Josh nodded.
"And cream cheese."
Amy wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and sat up, crossing her legs Indian-style.
"Is the President back yet?" She asked.
"He got in late last night."
"With or without Her Royal Majesty?"
"Without," Josh replied.
"Godamnit!"
"I know."
"The only woman in the world who would turn down the President of the United States," Amy stated, with a sigh.
"Yeah, go figure."
"You know I haven't heard from her in almost two weeks?"
"Two weeks?" Josh repeated, in disbelief.
"She called me after she got into Manchester from England, and I haven't heard from her since."
"She really doesn't make things easy for you, does she?"
"Yeah, not so much," Amy replied, taking another bite from her bagel. "I'm surprised though."
"About what?"
"I'm surprised that she didn't come back with him. I spoke to Liz the other day and she said it seemed like they were making progress."
"Apparently not enough," Josh answered.
"Yeah, evidently."
"He's gonna want to talk to you."
"The President?" Amy asked.
"Yeah."
"This may be a stupid question, and keep in mind I was just disturbed from a very peaceful slumber when I say this, but…what the hell does he want to talk to me about? I'm not exactly his favorite person right now."
"Well, if Mrs. Bartlet doesn't come back any time soon, or at all, we've got to find a hostess."
"A hostess."
"Yeah. Thomas Jefferson's wife died before he began his term, so his daughter alternated with Dolley Madison as his hostess."
"Dolley Madison was Jefferson's acting First Lady?" Amy questioned.
"Yeah. At the time, James Madison was Secretary of…something. State, I think. I guess they were buddies."
"Well, who the hell would we get as hostess? I don't think any of the First Daughters are going to willingly assume that position."
Josh shrugged.
"We'll just find a relative. The First Lady's got sisters."
"Yeah, who are likely to be loyal to her, not the President," Amy pointed out.
"Well…the President's got a sister-in-law."
"Ex-sister-in-law."
"They're divorced?" Josh aked.
"Have been for years."
"Damn. You want the job?"
"Shut up."
Washington, D.C.
"Excuse me, sir," Debbie Fiderer said, following her quiet knock on the Oval Office door.
Jed glanced up from the paperwork on his desk, looking at her over the rims of his glasses.
"CJ's outside."
"Send her in," he said, with a nod.
"Yes, sir."
Debbie exited the room and seconds later, was replaced by CJ Cregg.
"CJ!" Jed exclaimed, enthusiastically. "To what do I owe the distinct pleasure of your company this fine afternoon?"
CJ cringed. He was in a good mood. Not that she'd hoped he would be in a bad mood, but the last thing she wanted to do was ruin a now rare cheery disposition.
Since returning from Manchester, the President had been strangely upbeat. When they inquired as to his optimistic outlook, he had laughed at them and said, "Are you complaining?" So, they left it at that and didn't question. Though that didn't mean they were wondering, speculating, and discussing the possibilities behind his back.
The truth is, though he would never have admitted it to them, he was optimistic. Optimistic, confidant, and hopeful. Although Abbey had run away from him, she had made it clear that Tony was not the man she wanted. It was much easier knowing where she stood, about their relationship and hers with Tony. She wanted him. She just didn't know how to get him.
They had made a breakthrough. His plan was to relax. She would come to him when she was ready. And when that time came, he would be ready for her.
"Sir, I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Jed pulled off his glasses and stood from his chair.
"What is it?"
"This morning, around 7am, a bridge collapsed just outside of Baltimore."
Jed's eyes widened with alarm as only one thought passed through his mind: Ellie.
"Is it Ellie?"
"Thankfully, no, sir. However, there were thirty-seven casualties, twenty-five of them fatal. Unfortunately, sir, one of those fatalities was Mark Schaefer, Ellie's fiancée."
CJ watched as Jed's eyes darted aimlessly about the room as he absorbed the information.
"Mr. President?"
"Yeah. Does Ellie know?" He asked.
"No, sir. I don't believe so."
"Are you saying to me, CJ, that I have to tell my daughter that her fiancé was killed in a fatal bridge accident!"
"It's your decision, sir, but I think Ellie would rather hear it from you than the Baltimore Police Department," CJ replied.
Jed nodded desolately.
"Yeah. Do me a favor and ask Debbie to put a call through to Ellie on your way out."
"Yes, sir."
"Thanks, CJ."
"Thank you, Mr. President."
As CJ left the office, Jed returned to his desk and prepared to make one of the most difficult calls he would ever make.
"Mr. President," Debbie said, from the doorway. "Line one."
"Thank you."
He took a deep breath, feigned optimism, and reluctantly picked up the phone.
"Hi, sweetheart. How are you?"
Meanwhile, back in Manchester, Abbey had locked herself in the basement, trying both desperately to find a way to end her relationship with Sir Anthony Prescott. She could not think of a single one.
Staring right back in the face A memory can't be erased I know, because I tried Start to feel the emptiness and everything I'm gonna miss I know, that I can't hide
All this time is passing by I think it's time to just move on
When you come back down If you land on your feet I hope you find a way to make it back to me When you come around I'll be there for you Don't have to be alone with what you're going through
Start to breathe and fake a smile It's all the same after a while I know, that you are tired Carrying the ones you lost A picture frame with all the thoughts I know, you hold inside
I hope that you can find your way back To the place where you belong
When you come back down If you land on your feet I hope you find a way to make it back to me When you come around I'll be there for you Don't have to be alone with what you're going through
You're coming back down You say you feel lost can I help you find it When you come around From time to time we all are blinded You're coming back down You don't have to tell me what you're feeling I know what you're going through I won't be the one that lets go of you
I think it's time to just move on
When you come back down If you land on your feet I hope you find a way to make it back to me When you come around I'll be there for you Don't have to be alone with what you're going through
When you come back down If you land on your feet I hope you find a way to make it back to me When you come around I'll be there for you Don't have to be alone with what you're going through
"Come Back Down," by Lifehouse
