The Driskill Hotel Grill was hiving with activity. Waiters and waitresses gossiped between servings in the bowels of the kitchen over their opinions of the presidential party. The talk was typical of awed folks- some murmured destain for the liberal President, some remarked they'd thought he was taller, a few waitresses giggled remarks about the Vice President being easy on the eyes, whilst more than a few blushed and made comments about Sam Seaborn's appealing nervous sensibilities presented in an attractive, youthful package. There was support for their local senator, who had toned down the rancher appearance for the evening and looked distinguished enough, tough and, as some commented, taller than expected.

The atmosphere in the eating area was, upon initial viewing, warm and pleasant with candles at the tables, the spot lights above adding a glow to a room designed to be dark, and there was a lull of music softly underlining the chatter of the guests, classical because someone said the President liked it, nothing original however because that same someone hadn't realised how particular the President was with his tastes.

Upon closer inspection, just as snow hides dirt, the lights and music were discovered to conceal a tense attitude, at one table frosty, at another heated. People were on edge and although it was deliberately not discussed, word of the meeting between the President, the Vice President and the senator had spread and varied with each renewed telling of it.

The tall tale had done Cadence few favours. Despite damage control, the fire had already spread and the truth of the matter, which for most was much more boring, hadn't quite caught up yet.

She was surprised when Gavin had insisted she join his table and sat beside him but figured quickly that he had been admonished on some level by someone for the earlier events. It made Cadence irritated, the man was sitting with her out of guilt not desire, and she had no more patience to attempt anything beyond novelty niceties with him this evening.

Their starters were done and main course was due. Cadence was resisting Gavin and Tanya's talk of strategies for when they returned to Washington. She had occupied herself with her crimson napkin, one of linen and held together with a gold star clasp until she had unfolded it.

"Cadence."

Cadence glanced up at the voice and kept her stare carefully cool as she took in Sam Seaborn.

Sam was wearing a black tie dinner suit similar to Josh and Toby's but whilst Toby's looked worn and Josh's looked borrowed, Sam's was, like the rest of him, polished, unblemished and attractive.

Cadence could see the appeal with Sam, he had an allure to him that was safe, he worked out but he didn't overdo it, he had a geeky charm and wore shirts with the same comfortable ease that Cadence donned hooded, fluffy nightgowns. Cadence didn't feel an attraction to him but she understood why her sister was drawn to him.

"Mr. Seaborn," Cadence addressed him calmly.

"Sam," he corrected instinctively. "I came to apologise, I know I should have waited until after dinner," he said quickly, "but I couldn't so I'm here now."

Sam fell silent. He was trying hard to ignore the weight of Gavin and Tanya's stares upon him and was all too conscious of the silence that now occupied their table. He stared instead at Cadence's napkin project. It looked similar to origami.

"Sam."

"Yes?" he quipped hastily.

"You haven't apologised," Cadenced pointed out.

"Right," he retorted with embarrassment as he flustered slightly. "I'm sorry," he almost exclaimed it. "I acted poorly and that was unfair to you."

Sam realised he was still staring at the folded up napkin and he looked up to Cadence. "Um is that a bird?"

"Yes."

"Where did you learn to do origami?"

Cadence's shoulders stiffened before she stretched them back against her chair and continued to finish twisting the beak of her napkin bird into place. "Where one learns to do origami," she retorted vaguely.

"Japan?" Sam guessed.

Cadence frowned as she placed the gold star on the bird's back to keep its folded wings into place. "No Sam."

"Right, well...am I forgiven?"

"No Sam."

Sam's piercing blue eyes filled with surprise and his mouth parted slightly.

Gavin smiled at Cadence's blunt answer. It was Sam who had scolded him for his treatment for her and he couldn't help but enjoy seeing Cadence freeze Sam out even if part of Gavin felt that Sam had a point. Seeing Cal frowning in their direction had Gavin reaching for his glass of beer and taking a deep gulp. His boss had been pissed to learn that Gavin had helped get the story about Senator Whyte having shares in a gun company to Hoynes. It didn't matter that Hoynes was all but over the moon with the success of it, Cal didn't think that reward was worth the price of Cadence scoring points with Hoynes so soon.

"Well what can I do to make amends?" Sam queried as he gestured outwards with both hands.

Cadence shrugged. "What does that matter? Josh asked the same thing so I told him to wear that cowboy hat he acquired but I see that was too much for him. Why offer then if you won't do it."

Sam glanced behind him over his right shoulder to the table he had come from. Toby and C.J were staring over in an obvious fashion whilst Josh was deliberately looking away.

"Well that's Josh," Sam murmured as he turned back to Cadence. "Although it's understandable him not wanting to embarrass himself so publicly, the press are here after all."

"The senator gave him a gift, he's embarrassing the senator by not wearing it," Cadence retaliated. "Anyway Sam, I see food being served so if you'll please leave me to enjoy it."

Sam glanced around again and saw that Cadence was correct, the waiters and waitresses were beginning to serve out the main courses and top up drinks.

"What do I have to do?" he queried.

Cadence glanced up at him. "Sam," she addressed him quietly, "you made a mistake and so did I. Let's just move on, you don't need my forgiveness, we're on different teams, we don't have to work together."

"No see, this war thing, that's you and Josh, not me," Sam argued. "We are all on the Democrats' team, that's one side," he insisted as he clasped his hands together and gestured his hands down.

Gavin snorted at this. "Come on Sam, you don't believe that," he sneered.

Sam frowned at him. "Well I believe it should be that way. Isn't it tough enough with the Republicans against us and on a much greater scheme, the terrorists of the world, the criminals, the warmongers, we don't have time to be fighting in-house."

Gavin laughed. "Alright Sam, don't get so serious about some friendly bickering in politics, it's not like we're at each other with swords."

Sam's frown deepened but his stare was back on Cadence. "It feels like we are sometimes. Cadence, we can be friends," he insisted, "and I'll prove that."

"Because you want to date my sister?" she quipped aloofly.

"No, although that would be a perk," he admitted. "I'll leave you to your dinner," he decided. "I am sorry though, and that's the last of my apology."

Cadence nodded. "Alright Sam, well thanks for having the guts to say it."

He nodded before walking back to his table.

When Sam reached the table, where his meal was sitting ready, he was set upon by the inquisition of Josh, Toby and C.J.

"Well, did she graciously forgive you then, did you earn the honour?" Josh sneered.

"No," Sam retorted as he sat down and glowered at Josh, "something about you offering to do something for forgiveness then refusing to do it."

"She asked me to wear that stupid hat!" Josh exclaimed.

"Oh a little louder there Josh I don't think the senator quite caught that," Toby scorned as he picked at his potatoes.

"Well you should've," Sam snapped, "or you shouldn't have offered to do something without setting some terms first, you opened yourself up for that. Now she thinks she can't trust us."

"Well she can't," C.J pointed out, "you all ignored her, then forgot you ignored her and stood there while Leo yelled at her." C.J gestured to herself with one hand. "I'm the only one who didn't turn her away, she didn't even reach out to me."

"Well no, why would she?" Toby queried patronisingly. "She didn't want the story run to the press."

C.J frowned over at him. "Because Toby I could have got through to you ignorant jackasses and got your attention for her."

"Well she maybe didn't consider that," Sam lamented. He was staring back over at Cadence's table.

Cadence was frowning down at her steak with displeasure and Sam wondered guiltily if he had spoiled her appetite. He supposed maybe they all had, he hadn't noticed how much of her starter she had taken.

"Guys Leo really chewed her out," C.J continued.

"We know C.J, we were there," Toby reminded her dryly, "and could you keep your voice down about it, the press aren't too far."

"They're not in the same room, they got their photos before the meal and they'll not be back until it's time for some shots of coffee and conversation," C.J murmured with a hint of mockery to her voice. Although her main job revolved around sending a good imagery to the press she disliked staged photos anyway, they always looked exactly as they were- staged.

"Well alright, how about you keep your voice down because the senator doesn't need to learn about how divided we were over this news about his stocks," Toby murmured.

C.J turned her frosty gaze in the direction of said senator. He had cleaned up for dinner and the dancing that would follow and had brought along his wife to give off that homely, appealing charm but it was like a wolf in sheep's clothing. The man still sickened her, his smile was a sneer and when he had greeted her before the meal he had made some comment about her 'cleaning up well' and 'being tall enough to offer a good view in a mini skirt'. C.J was grateful that she had donned a long, grey skirt for the dinner and that her dress for this evening was floor length.

She figured he wasn't going for pretence anymore, not now that any deals with him were off the table because they had him over a barrel and at their mercy. He wasn't going to be gracious but bitter. Senator Whyte smiled for the cameras because he didn't want to push them into publicising his stock holdings but he knew they wouldn't unless he really shoved because then it would appear like the President was ready to smear anyone who was against him.

C.J knew how it would go. The senator would push buttons tonight, nothing too open lest the press catch wind of it or his wife see. He would chose the politician's method of cleverly worded insults so the sting of the insult came too late for retaliation. He would murmur lewd remarks to the women when he passed them by in the corridor, just a quick comment that would invoke a shudder but nothing that could be proven. He would continue to call the President too liberal even as he dropped the issue of gun control and be openly glad that the President was leaving Texas tomorrow.

C.J's gaze shifted to the senator's left where the Vice President sat. John Hoynes sickened her almost as much sometimes, he knew how to dress up his words as well and she could never quite work who the hell's side he was really on. John had an agenda alright, he was out for John and she supposed sometimes that that was okay and understandable but there were times when he really needed to be out for the President even if it meant some sacrifices and John just never seemed that willing to make the sacrifice without a squabble because it was too much a blow to his personal reputation. She wondered why he had taken the role of Vice President when he never seemed entirely willing to don it.

"C.J?" Toby's voice drew her back to attention and to her cooling meal.

"Yes Toby?" she queried as she resumed cutting up her fish.

"I asked you how your food was."

"Fine Toby," she murmured, "at least it looks fine, I haven't tried it yet."

"You know maybe you could talk to Cadence," Toby suggested lightly.

C.J sat down her cutlery angrily with enough force for there to be a loud clatter. "Oh no Toby," she snapped, "don't think because I'm a woman and the only one who didn't make her mad that I'll fix the mess for all of you."

"Well C.J that's the point," Josh interrupted, "she is mad at us and while she stays mad, Leo stays mad."

Josh gestured with one hand to their morose looking boss who was sandwiched between the President and one of the senator's party.

"Do you want Leo's night ruined C.J? Do you?" Josh queried with pleading look.

"I don't want my night ruined," the press secretary retorted sincerely.

"Well it won't be if you talk nice to Cadence," Josh insisted.

C.J glowered over at Josh. "Why would my night be ruined if I don't?" she demanded crossly.

Josh smiled at her. "Because we're all upset about this too and you know a bad mood is contagious."

"Josh." C.J shook her head before seizing up her cutlery again. She finally took a bite of her fish. "Damn it's cold!" she complained.

Her voice carried a little too loudly as it was enough to bring a concerned waiter straight over.

"Ma'am is everything alright?" he queried nervously.

"No it's not alright," C.J retorted woefully as she set her cutlery down again and raised a hand to her brow. She glanced up at the waiter tiredly and gestured out to her party with her free hand. "I'm at a table with these savages and they've talked to me so much my food's gone cold."

"Ma'am would you like another dish?"

C.J sighed. "No, no it's fine, just..." She grasped her two thirds empty wine glass and held it out to him. "Bring me some more wine please."

He nodded and accepted the glass.

"C.J you didn't need to hand him the glass," Sam pointed out, "they generally bring the bottle over and pour."

"Sam seriously, I haven't eaten any food yet but I notice you three have almost finished," she pointed out. "Shut up and let me eat."

"You know Cadence hasn't eaten much either," Sam pointed out with a small, helpful smile, "maybe that could be a starting point in the conversation."

C.J slammed a hand down hard on the table. "Sam!" she shouted angrily.

It was loud enough to draw several looks to them.

"She's fine," Josh assured everyone with a smile, "just telling us how much she loves the fish!"

The ball in honour of the Driskill's prestigious guests began promptly at nine o'clock. For the men it was an easy enough feat to be ready for nine as only a few of them felt the need to swap a shirt or tie after dinner whilst most kept on their dining attire for the event. For the women it had been a little more difficult to depart for dinner and change and restyle and be ready for nine and a few of them had shuffled in late, awkward as they arrived in the middle of the president's speech.

Jed was all smiles, putting on a show of good form as he thanked the senator for his hospitality earlier, praised the hotel and Texas as a whole and his hopes for a positive relationship with the state in the future. He gave a mention to his VP, thanking him for his presence and his help from being both a Texan native and a skilled politician.

John was grateful for the nod but unimpressed that he wasn't asked if he had anything to add to the President's words. The speech ended with the expected applause and the music, provided by a live orchestra, began promptly.

The ballroom was a glittering delight, the tables were sheeted in robes of white and carried heavy chandeliers that twinkled from table to table, catching one another's light as well as the glow from the ceiling lights. The room was extravagant and much brighter than the dining room with cream walls and columns, and a light wooden floor. Every surface gleamed and sparkled, the finest crystal glasses adorned the tables, catching the iridescent glow of the standing chandeliers, and the aroma of expensive champagne added a dizzying glamour to the perfumed air.

Josh gave a low whistle as C.J passed him by. She was styled in Armani in a powder blue ballgown styled dress that had a modest cut at the collar which led into the small straps over the shoulder. There was silver detailing on the corset depicting leaves and flowers which matched her silver shoes and clutch, and she also had a powder blue wrap about her arms.

"Can it Josh," she scorned her companion. "Danny has already sung my praises and Senator Whyte," she added more quietly, "has complained because my skirt isn't higher."

"Did the senator really say that?" Josh queried with a look of concern.

C.J shrugged. "Don't worry Josh, he's just sore."

"Well you look lovely," he insisted with a smile, "radiant even."

C.J sighed. "Josh, it's a party, let me enjoy it, please. Even if you compare me to Cleopatra or Helen of Troy I'm not making up with Cadence for you. Sam's right, wear the stupid hat."

Josh frowned. "It makes me look ridiculous."

C.J gave him a stern stare. "No Josh, you ignoring her because of some petty fallout two years ago makes you look ridiculous."

C.J glanced about the room and spying Leo, dismissed herself from Josh to greet the Chief of Staff.

Josh sighed before he wandered off as well, wondering if maybe wearing the cowboy hat was his only option for salvation.

At the other side of the ballroom Senator Whyte was standing with the Vice President attempting conversation.

"Come on to the bar John, the least I can do is buy you a drink," Senator Whyte insisted. "Let's put on a show for the press boys and girls," he said with a sneering smile as he gestured with a thumb to Danny and a female reporter standing beside him.

John smiled back politely but there was an edge to his grey gaze as he shook his head. "No, really senator, it's fine."

"Come on John, you won the battle, don't refuse my attempt at amends," the senator retorted.

John took in the man's stubborn brown stare as he wondered if Senator Matt Whyte was perhaps trying to prove a rumour. John couldn't imagine that Matt really knew anything about John's secret alcoholism but then again, it was a habit that had started young in John and turned disastrous very quickly and Matt was a Texan native, maybe he had heard an ugly whisper in the winds.

"Matt, really, I had enough at dinner," John lied smoothly.

"You're being rude now Mr. Vice President," Matt spat out the accusation in a hostile manner.

John frowned as his mask of charm and cheer slipped away.

"Senator Whyte, how very good to meet you," Cadence intruded upon them with a bright tone to match the wide smile she arrived with. She slipped in between the men and extended a hand out to the senator. "I'm Cadence McGarry, I was impressed when I heard your arguments over the land bills last month and have been eager to meet you since."

The senator accepted her hand as his look of confusion turned to pride and then to something else as he took in the young woman and accepted her offered hand.

Cadence was wearing a pale rose gold ballgown that was decorated tastefully in glittering gold swirls. It had a corset that ended over the hips and a skirt that split up the side to expose her thin leg on the right side, cut to just above the knee. She wore no jewellery with it but instead coupled it with a pair of unnecessary skin tone pantyhose, gold high heeled shoes, a rose gold purse with a chain gold strap and a wrap that matched the colour of her dress. The wrap she had bound about her arms several times like bandages so that it was almost constricting her limbs.

John studied her arms and glimpsed the faint pink lines poking out from the gaps in the wrap. He tried to work out if any were new and thought that some did appear darker and fresher.

"And who are you with Cadence?" the senator queried.

"I'm a Deputy in Public Relations for the Vice President here," she explained with a nod in John's direction. She smiled but it was forced now as she felt the senator's warm hand still clutching at hers, prolonging the handshake longer than necessary.

"Well I was trying to offer your boss here a drink to promote good public relations," the senator exclaimed, "maybe you could tell him to stop resisting."

Cadence laughed politely at this. "It's a long night sir with a very early start tomorrow, the Vice President has probably already met his quota. However, in the spirit of good public relations, would it be rude if I accepted on his behalf?"

Cadence widened her smile.

The senator glanced her up and down as if eyeing up a cow for sale in the pen before he grinned and nodded. "Sure." He looked back over to John. "Well I've been provided with an appealing alternative to yourself at least John, I'll talk to you later."

John made himself smile but it was difficult and he found himself pushing his hands into his pockets to avoid clenching his fists openly. He knew Cadence was welcoming the attention from the senator to divert it from him and he needed the distraction she provided but he hated how the senator studied her and kept a grip on her hand.

Cadence began to lead the senator away to the bar and John watched them go with an icy expression. He wasn't going to like it but he wouldn't protest it either. His blue stare roamed the room until he spotted Leo frowning at the senator as well and he knew he was going to have to go over before Leo forgot his role as Chief of Staff and let his fatherly urges kick in.

John thought bitterly that there was an irony to it. Him getting annoyed at an old man ogling Cadence. He knew he had never treated her like meat but had he really treated her much better? He had seduced her to his bed when he was married and had taken lovers before her. There had been lovers after too, a blonde apprentice in his party to try and console himself for Cadence's loss but it hadn't been the same.

Only with Cadence returned to his life did John realise no one had quite been the same. She had a certain spark to her, an oddness that was usually quirky and alluring although at times it could be dark and disturbing. He realised that was the problem. If she had just been an easy fuck he wouldn't care for her personal problems, they would be unwanted baggage to avoid, an excuse to discard her and definitely a reason for not rekindling anything with her but he did care. He had taken in her beauty in her ballgown but he had looked for her scars as well, searching for the new damage with a desire to run his fingers over them and somehow soothe the hurt away.

John reached Leo and pushed the thoughts of lust and longing away. It was one thing to consider the damage to his reputation if his liaisons with Cadence ever became public and quite another to think what Leo would do to him if he learned about it. She had only been twenty-one when John had bedded her. Hell John's daughter was fourteen now, he could understand the rage Leo would summon for him. Understand it yes but brace himself for it, ready for it and welcome it as a deserved punishment, no John wasn't so noble as that.

"Leo," he murmured quietly as he reached the man, "the senator offered me a drink and Cadence took the offer."

Leo raised his greyed eyebrows slightly at this and glanced questioningly to his daughter. "John, does she know?"

"No," John lied. If he admitted Cadence knew that he was an alcoholic of course Leo would question it, it was a highly intimate secret, the kind to share with someone very close to you. "She sensed he was, shall we say, overspending his time with me," John suggested lightly with a mocking smile.

Leo nodded. "I see, well I don't like him with her."

"It's a public place Leo and the senator can't monopolise her, Mrs. Whyte isn't too far."

Leo glanced past John and his eyes widened with a moment of surprise. He raised his palm to his forehead and groaned as he pressed it there. "What are you doing Josh?" he groaned.

John glanced over his shoulder out of curiosity and stared in astonishment at the sight of Josh Lyman, still in his dinner attire but now donning his tan cowboy hat as well.

As people mocked and laughed him, Josh just smiled and tipped his hat obligingly.

"Hey Josh," Danny called as he spotted him, "are you doing this for a bet?"

"No Danny, this was a gift from the senator," Josh retorted brightly, "and I'm honouring it."

Danny smiled. "Okay, well then you won't mind a picture."

Josh's smile became fixed as he forced out the words, "no Danny, of course not."

Danny nodded to the press photographer lingering nearby and laughed as a photograph was snapped.

"Oh, oh," C.J piped up brightly, "wait, get one with me!"

She hoisted up her skirts with both hands and raced to Josh's side.

Josh winced as C.J planted both her hands about him as if to secure him in place before she leaned over him and smiled.

"Say Hi Ho Silver," C.J teased.

Danny laughed again as another photograph was taken.

Hearing the commotion prompted Cadence to glance over from her unenviable position at the bar with the senator. She was seated on a stool that was lost beneath her dress, sipping gently at the glass of champagne the senator had insisted on buying her. He had waved off the barman's reminder than there was plenty of free champagne out for them, courtesy of the hotel and grumbled that he wanted to buy the lady a drink.

Spotting Josh with his hat prompted Cadence to give a small smile.

Senator Whyte followed the jovial sounds and scowled. "If I didn't know better I'd say he was mocking me," he growled out.

Cadence turned back to face him and smiled sweetly at him. "I'm sure he's not, didn't you give it to him?" she queried. "He's only showing it off I'm sure."

She flinched as the senator reached out with his right hand and grasped her chin. "I'm sure you might be mocking me now too," he accused as he forced her stare to meet his annoyed one.

Cadence pulled away from his touch and pushed herself off the bar stool. "Don't touch me again senator," she warned him frostily, "I don't care what you rank, you don't have that right."

Cadence abandoned the senator at the bar and headed for Josh who was standing on the edge of the dance floor. When she reached him, she gave him a coy smile. "Still seeking forgiveness?" she pried.

"No, I've just started to grow attached to this," Josh jested as he smiled back at her.

"It suits you," Cadence teased.

Josh laughed. "No, no it really doesn't," he retorted. "So, can I take it off now, have I served my penance?"

"Not quite," Cadence retorted as her gaze turned mischievous, "I'd say thirty minutes wearing at least."

"What? Cadence come on," Josh protested with a wild wave of his hands.

"I can go up to forty."

"Alright, fine, thirty but then that's it," Josh said firmly, "we're back to being acquaintances that bicker only this time I'll respond to your messages."

Cadence nodded. "Sure Josh."

She turned as she caught a whiff of expensive aftershave and gave Gavin a welcoming stare.

Gavin regarded her with a warm smile. "Cadence, in the spirit of making amends can I ask you to dance?" he quipped as he held out a hand.

Josh pulled a face at this. "That's a terrible line," he sneered, "terrible."

"And that's a terrible hat," Gavin retorted without looking Josh's way.

"Yeah, you got one too," Josh reminded him.

Gavin bristled at the reminder and rolled his eyes. "And hopefully the senator doesn't ask about it because you've been stupid enough to wear yours," he grumbled.

Josh grinned. "Hmm now that might me feel better."

"No Josh, you suffer alone," Cadence scorned him as she accepted Gavin's hand.

"Well that's hardly fair, I didn't offend alone," Josh complained.

Cadence just laughed as she allowed Gavin to lead her to the dance floor.

Cadence danced and sipped lightly at champagne until just after midnight. Exhausted from the changeable events of the day she then retreated for a late bath and bed. She was emotionally drained more than anything. Between going from a pariah in the morning simply for existing to her father's scolding and then the ugly rumours of her misdeeds that had followed, Cal's never ending glowers even when the truth came out, in fact he seemed to hate what had really happened more than what was rumoured to have happened, and then keeping up appearances for dinner and dancing, it was all a lot for one day.

She slipped out of the ballroom quietly, certain that if she had been public with her good nights there might have been pleas for her to stay. Gavin had been a lot warmer to her and even told Cal to get over himself and insisted he was the one at fault anyway. Tanya had also proven more pleasant and even offered her some praise for her 'ballsy move'. Cadence decided it was a good way to end the evening, on positive terms with some of John's team.