I hope you enjoy this. Thanks for the great reviews of Chess, Love and Politics!

Chapter Two:

A few hours later, Miranda wearing an FBI sweat shirt and pants, was working on notes for various discussions planned over the next two days as she sat below ground.

The head of the secret service appeared.

"Ma'am," he said.

She smiled. "Thank goodness. I was starting to feel like a kid at study hall. How's my husband?"

"Confined to the residence. We found no risks in the East Wing."

"That's relief," she said. "Please tell me you're going with the story that this was a routine drill."

"We're doing our best, Ma'am."

"I assume I'd be in a hospital if there was anthrax in that file."

"It is a mixture of rocks and minerals from the Chihuahuan desert. You're safe."

"What about the other desk drawers?"

"As you suspected, they contained the case file about your husband's time in Mexico along with a dirt from the area. We're looking to re-interview the previous owners of these desks and anyone who might have access to them. This wasn't a super glue you could buy at a hardware store Ma'am, it is something different."

"Okay," she said. "Now, about the file, how detailed is it?"

"It only gives the details as to what he was originally arrested for," he said. "There is no information about the murder charge."

"Someone is trying to play mind games with me," Miranda.

"I assure you, we will get to the bottom of this," he said.

"Is there any chance I can go upstairs and change now?"

"You can."

"Are Gina Scott and Whitney Fleming still in the building? I want to get some actual work done today."

A slight smile creeped across his face.

"They stayed around security perimeter. They're here when you need them."

"Thank you," she said.

Five minutes later Miranda entered the residence to find Reid reading a book. He got up immediately and gave her a hug.

"It was just a drill dear," she said. "Just a drill."

"Is that the whole story?"

"It feels like a role reversal," Miranda said. "Now there are things I can't tell you about my job."

"All I care about is that you're safe," Reid said.

"And I am," she said. "Now let me get out of this suit and into something that is mine. I am also going to try to get some work done before the kids come and ask questions non-stop."

"Okay," he said and returned to reading his book.

Miranda picked up a phone. "Send Scott and Fleming up in ten minutes."

Miranda was adjusting her hair in the mirror when she saw a vision of Reid's mug shot. It was truly alarming.

There was knock on the door to her private study.

"So, what's the whole story?" Fleming asked as she walked in followed by Gina.

"What makes you think I'll share that with you?" Miranda said.

"Because I've known you longer than anyone in this city," she said. "And I saw that look of alarm on your face when you opened that drawer, what was in it?"

"I shouldn't tell you," she said.

"It doesn't matter if you should or shouldn't," Fleming said. "Just don't tell anyone else you told us."

"You're funny," she said.

"I'm being serious. What you saw shook you up. I don't see you spooked often and this did it. What did you see?"

Gina spoke up.

"Whitney may have a point. A lot of questions are going to be asked in the coming days about how this drill came about. It is going to be up to Whitney and me to protect you. What did you see, Ma'am?"

Whitney Fleming had known her since she was a first term congresswoman. She left shortly after Miranda started dating Reid to become a campaign manager. She helped Miranda win the election and agreed to stay on as a senior white house advisor. Gina had been her chief of staff for her last two terms in congress. She trusted both women with her secrets, even ones she had to keep from her husband.

"It was my husband's mug shot from Mexico attached to a file," Miranda said.

"That is creepy," Gina said.

"Sounds like mind games," Fleming said.

"Let the Secret Service deal with it," Miranda said taking a seat. "I told you, now let's move on. We lost a whole day of work and the British Prime Minister is coming next week. It is time to make a list of what needs to be prioritized and what can be put off."

Both women nodded in agreement as they sat down.

…

"So, did they have to burn all your clothes and everything?" Rachel asked.

"They let me keep my rings," she said showing them off. "They look even shinier."

"That's because of the unique combination of water and highly-classified substances used in cleanup procedures," Alex said.

Miranda noticed Reid contributed nothing to the discussion.

"Kids, Aunt J.J.'s family will be here soon. Go wash up."

Alex and Rachel scurried away.

"You didn't have anything to add," Miranda noted.

"I still have my share of secrets Miranda."

"Secrets in a marriage," Miranda noted lightly. "Those can be toxic."

"Not, in this marriage," Reid said.

"Nope."

A few minutes later J.J.'s family: Will, Henry, his fiancée Cora, and Michael arrived. Henry was holding a present for Alex.

"I know your birthday is a week away, but since I'll be out of town that week, I thought I'd bring it today."

Alex looked to Reid and Miranda.

"Can I open it now? Please?"

Miranda sighed. "Are you going to ask every day until we do?"

"Yes," Alex said.

Reid and Miranda exchanged a look.

"Sure," Reid said with a mild sense of surrender.

Alex ripped up the wrapping paper.

"Awesome!" he shouted.

It was Risk, the board game.

Henry smiled. "I thought you'd like to try something different."

"Did you know that Risk was invented it by Oscar-winning director Albert Lamorisse?"

"I did because I Googled it before I came here," Henry said.

"Can we play after dinner?"

"If I recall correctly, that game can take hours to play and it is a school night," Miranda said. "Maybe another time?"

"Rats," Alex said.

"I promise we'll play a game this weekend," Reid said.

"Okay," Alex said in a low tone.

Miranda clapped her hands together.

"Time for dinner!"

It was a simple dinner of lasagna followed by chocolate cake.

"I'm sorry to hear you lost your wedding venue," Reid said.

"Me too," Cora said. "David Rossi offered his home but he doesn't have room for my whole family."

Miranda grinned at Reid.

"We were wondering if you'd consider and an alternative venue," she said.

Cora looked to Henry, then Miranda and Reid.

"No!" she said instantly. "I couldn't possibly impose!"

"That's what I said," Henry said. "But my godfather here is afraid of distracting from the event with a motorcade, so he suggested hosting it here."

"And I loved it," Miranda added.

Cora burst into tears.

"I'm sorry. I thought one of the happiest days of my life was already ruined, now it is becoming a dream."

J.J. rubbed her shoulder.

"It's okay," she said. "This will be fun."

Will raised his glass. "Cheers to Cora, Henry, and the wedding of the century at the White House," he said with a smile.

"Cheers," Everyone said.

Rachel nudged Miranda.

"Does that mean I get to be a flower girl?"

…

"What a long day," Reid said as he fell on to the bed.

"They're only going to get longer," Miranda said joining him.

"Is there something on your mind?" he asked facing her.

"I thought you said you'd never profile me after our first date?"

"I was observing how you looked distracted," he said.

"I don't know," she said. "I spent a lot of time alone underground thinking about you, Mexico and how, how— "

"My world changed for the better after I started dating you."

"I wouldn't go that far."

He pulled her close.

"You and the kids are the best things to have ever happened to me."

"I love you Spencer."

"I love you too Miranda."

She looked up and all she could see was his mugshot. This was a mind game she had to beat.