A/N: Here's the next chapter. Sorry if it's short. I ran out of time for writing (I'm a college student, I can only spend so much time avoiding homework, sadly) and I wanted to get this up, keep testing the waters. Please review, I really like constructive feedback, but if you just want to praise (I'm hopeless, I know) or flame me that's cool too. Until next time. KP

Oh, and a big thanks to Lady Urguentha for being the first to review!

Previously on "Nation's First."

"Hey. Hey. Listen to me. We can do this, and we will do this. Let's find out for sure before we go freaking out."

"Okay."

"Okay."

Iranians and Press Secretaries

The ringing bedside phone pulled the husband and wife back into reality. It was already time to go back into Presidential mode.

"Yeah? Is it urgent? I'm on my way." She turned to her husband, "I have to go down to the Sit Room, but obviously we'll talk about this when I'm done."

Still a bit out of it Rod didn't reply until she was almost out the door. "Right. Hey Mac." She turned, "I love you."

"I love you more," and with that the President was gone.

The Marines at the door stiffened and opened the doors to the Situation Room as they saw their Commander in Chief approaching at a brisk pace. She didn't look happy.

"Attention." Everyone in the room scrambled to the feet, the military members stiff as boards. Normally Mac didn't care too much for the formality, but she wasn't too happy about the disruption to her personal situation. She crossed the room and waited until she had sat down at the head of the long table before telling them to sit.

"What's up?"

"Ma'am, we've gathered some new and very convincing intelligence on Iran's nuclear program."

"What kind of intelligence."

"We've received shipping manifests of just about every item they'd need to get their program active." The CIA director chimed in.

"Satellites also are showing movement of what we think is nuclear cargo to the suspected sites of weaponization," her National Security Advisor added.

"What are you recommending?" This was the last thing she needed right now, a standoff with Iran. She knew it had been too quiet in the Middle East these past few weeks. She had been hoping it would stay that way for a bit longer.

"We are coming up with some diplomatic and military options right now." The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs knew that she wanted to hear they had something, not that they were working on it.

Wanting to get back to the Residence to deal with the only thing that was really on her mind, she stood. As everyone followed suit she looked around the room, "Okay, I want those options in two hours. And I'd prefer the diplomatic route."

There was a chorus of "Yes ma'am" and "Thank You ma'am," as she made her way out of the Sit Room. As she started up the stairs, Jim caught up with her. "Are you okay ma'am? You seemed a bit," he hesitated a moment "hassled." The President stopped and turned to him.

"Did I?" She asked sounding genuinely concerned. "Sorry, I just…I guess I'm not feeling as well as I thought." She wasn't about to tell anyone, including her Chief of Staff what she thought might be happening. She couldn't really even say it to herself. 'I might be pregnant.' There, that wasn't so hard.

"We can postpone this until tomorrow if you'd like, there's no immediate threat." He stressed the 'immediate.' No one could deny that Iran and nuclear weapons were indeed a threat.

"Call me in two hours, we'll see." With that she took a right down the hall to head back to the Residence.

As she walked into the residence she ran into Horace who was heading to his room.

"Hey Mom," he greeted her, a smile coming across his face when he saw her. Since she had taken on the Vice Presidency he had seen less and less of her. Now that she was the President, it was a treat to see her for more than five minutes at a time. He was proud of his mom, and he wouldn't ever want her to not be President, but inside he missed her.

"Hey baby," she kissed his forehead. "Did you just get back?"

"Yeah, I had practice. Hey, do you think you and dad will be able to make it to a meet this year?"

"Well…"

"I mean, I know you're busy and all, and the whole Secret Service thing, but it would be really cool, and I know Becca would appreciate it too."

"Well, we'll see. Hey, I told your dad I would meet him, but I'll see you at dinner."

"Okay."

She cherished any time she had to be with her kids, but she really needed to get back to Rod. When she walked into the First Couple's bedroom, she found Rod pacing by the window.

"Did you stay here this whole time?"

He glanced at his watch. "Yeah, you've only been gone 15 minutes."

"Oh." She let out a sigh, "it felt like much longer."

"What was the problem?"

"Oh, just Iran."

"Did you just say 'just Iran'? Because last time I checked anything that brought you to the Sit Room was bad, especially Iran."

"I know, sorry, I'm just a bit preoccupied right now."

Rod walked up to her and held her close. Stroking her hair he tried to comfort her, and himself. "I know, but like I said we can do this."

Moving over to the sofa they sat together. "So what are we going to do? I mean we need to be sure before we do anything else." Rod nodded, "How on earth am I going to do that."

"Well, let's just call for the motorcade and head down to the nearest drug store. I'll wait in the car while you and ten Secret Service agents run into the place, grab a pregnancy test." He meant to make Mackenzie laugh. She wasn't laughing.

"Thanks Rod, thanks for taking this seriously." She looked like she was about to shed a tear.

"Hey," he said enveloping her in another embrace. "I'm sorry, I just thought you could use a little humor. If you are pregnant, we should be happy, and nothing else."

She pulled back to look at him, "You're right. And I am, or I will be, it's just scary enough as it is, at our age, never mind my job."

"Okay, so how should we do this? We could have a doctor come here, try to keep it from the press."

"That's unlikely."

"Or the Surgeon General. It wouldn't look suspicious having him come here."

"It would if he came to the Residence. Do you want him to examine me in the Oval Office?"

"No, no, you're right. Could we have someone get a test for us?"

Mac was still for a moment. "Yes! I'll ask Kelly, obviously I'll have to be straight with her, but I we can really trust her." Mackenzie was already on her feet, headed for the door.

"Where are you going? You don't have to be in the Sit Room for another two hours."

"How did you know that?" She had stopped in her tracks and turned. "I didn't tell you that."

Rod cracked a smile. "I just know things."

It only took her a second, "Jim called you."

"Yeah, he told me you had left, and asked me if you were okay. He cares about you."

"Yeah." She turned to leave again.

"You didn't answer my question. Where are you going?"

"To have a private conversation with my favorite Press Secretary." And then she was gone.