Okay, I'm getting a tad desperate for reviews. I know wrote a lot yesterday (it's what happens when I'm stuck in bed) so it may take time to read. If you hate it, please be nice. I am trying and I am listening to input. I will delete flames though. I hope you like this.

Chapter Seven:

"So, one of my staff is a traitor," Miranda said.

She and the head of the Secret Service were sitting in the oval office. She was wearing jeans and a gray sweater.

"We quickly determined that it was merely small red stones, something you'd fine in a home goods store."

"That shows they don't have access to the full toxicology report, or pretending they don't," she said.

"I assure you Ma'am, we will get to the bottom of this."

Miranda stood up. "It feels like every week; a new reminder of my husband's incarceration shows up. Why him? Why not my past? It's not like I don't have a few skeletons in my closet."

"I don't know Ma'am."

"I want a working theory by the end of the week," she said firmly.

"Understood," he said.

"Dismissed," she said and turned away.

"Have a good evening Ma'am."

"You too."

He quietly left.

Miranda touched the frame of window. So, this is what it's like. To carry the weight of the office. To feel the pressure and it was from within her office. For once, she felt afraid.

…

"Daddy and Alex played Risk until exactly twelve o'clock," Rachel reported when Miranda got in. "And they didn't clean up the game until this morning."

"Snitch," Alex said.

"Don't call your sister and snitch Alex," Miranda put her things down and turned to Rachel. "No one also likes a tattletale either. The game is cleaned up and that is all that matters."

Reid appeared.

"How was the trip?" he asked.

"Beneficial," she said.

"Did you to do trust building exercises like falling into each other's arms?" Alex asked.

"We played games like ping-pong and basketball. We also talked a lot," she said.

"Sounds dull," Alex said.

"Sounds like fun," Reid said.

"Liar," Miranda said with a wicked grin. "You hate basketball and ping-pong."

"True," he sheepishly admitted. "But I do see the benefits of the children learning to enjoy these exercises."

"What about bowling?" she asked suddenly.

"I always make a fool of myself in front of the team," he said.

"Kids, invite five of your friends. We're having a bowling party next Saturday!"

"But we have a state dinner," Reid said.

"Then make it a Saturday afternoon party. One to four, pizza and soda will be served."

"Can't we make it a Risk party like on my birthday?" Alex asked. "That sounds like more fun."

"Nope," she said. "Bowling will be the only thing on the agenda."

"I think it sounds like fun," Rachel said.

"Me too," Reid admitted.

"Great," Miranda said. "I'll call the house staff and tell them to ready the lanes by Saturday."

Miranda picked up her things.

"I'm going to shower. Who's cooking dinner?"

"The chef," Alex and Rachel said.

"No," Reid said. "We're making meatloaf."

"But I don't like meatloaf," Rachel said.

"What is the point of having a personal chef if he doesn't cook for us?" Alex asked.

"Meatloaf is good for you and learning to cook is important," he said. "Now come on, let's start mixing the ingredients."

Miranda left to sounds of her children groaning. It felt good to be home.

…

During dinner Miranda sang some of the songs she learned at Camp David. This made the kids plug their ears and even Reid cringed. They discussed the homework Alex and Rachel had to do and the discussion was mostly one-sided as Reid seemed to know everything they were talking about. Reid discussed how he was meeting with the STEM students this week to discuss the future of science with world renowned physicist Will Styman. He joked that the students would probably be more excited to see Styman than him. The meal was good and it took her mind off what she found under her pillow last night.

Miranda put her top on for bed and suddenly Reid pulled it off her from behind. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.

"I missed you," he whispered.

She was tired but realized she missed him too. She missed this.

"I missed you too," she said and turned to kiss him on the mouth.