Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination, Designated SUrvivor is a NEtflix property.

A/N:So I know I'e been completely MIA from posting this past year but all it took was a complete re-watch to get my creative juices flowing. Here's a completely new take on how Emily and Aaron meet so it won't follow the show all that much except our core three characters and Kirkman (Alex isn't dead in this one).

Aaron pulled roughly on his tie as he left the White House. He knew he'd have to do some more work tonight and that he'd have a minimum amount of sleep before having to return but right now, he needed a drink. He was thankful when he found a spot in front of his usual bar. He climbed out of his car, pushed the door of The Third Estate Irish Pub open and it was crowded like it always was and it being late, he wasn't sure he'd actually get a spot to sit but that was beside the point. He pushed his way through the crowd and he was almost at the bar when he was pushed against the shoulder, making him lose his balance, his other shoulder coming in contact with someone.

"Oh, come on." Aaron turned his body towards the voice to find a small brunette holding her glass as far from her body as she could, the liquid on her hands.

"I'm really sorry." He straightened himself and gave her an apologetic smile. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah but my drink isn't." He could see that she was tired and looked like she needed that drink as much as he needed one.

"Let me buy you a new one." She finally looked up and their eyes met, the two of them smiling.

"Thanks."

"It's my fault so it's not a problem." He guided her through the crowd until they made it to the bar and he hailed a bartender. "I'll take a double whiskey and whatever she's having."

"Double huh?" She smirked.

"Long day." He pushed the glass in her direction when they were placed in front of him.

"Those must happen often when you work in the White House." He chuckled as he set his glass down.

"Daily these days." He wasn't all surprised that she knew who he was considering he was often seen with Kirkman during his movements.

"Emily Rhodes." She extended her hand and Aaron shook it.

"Aaron." He took another sip as he let her hand go. "So you know what I do but what about you? What is your day job that makes you look so tired?"

"Seems I didn't put enough make-up," She chuckled playfully. "Political Consultant."

"Nice coincidence. Anyone I know?"

"I'm working with Congressman Ross on his re-election."

"He's tough, no wonder you need that drink."

"Or two." She cocked an eyebrow. "First time I stop to take a breather in days."

"I bet." He downed his drink and asked another one. "Our jobs don't exactly go with the idea of socializing."

"Angry texts from friends are starting to come in."

"That bad huh?"

"Yeah." She hated it as much as her friends but she had a job to do and a break would have to wait. "I'm surprised you were able to get out of the White House with everything that's going on right now." He looked at his watch and sighed.

"Yeah, I've been gone for too long." He raised his glass to his lips and downed the rest of it, Emily following his movements. "I have a couple hours to go sleep and change before I have to go back." He stood.

"Good luck." She smiled at him.

"You too." He put some money on the bar. "It was nice to meet you Emily Rhodes." She shook the hand he extended her.

"Likewise Aaron Shore." She said his whole name playfully.

"Good night." He tapped the bar, not waiting for an answer and he left the bar with a smile on his lips, unaware of her eyes on him as he did.

Emily downed the rest of her drink and left too, needing some sleep in her before she had to go back early in the morning.

Aaron slipped into his place, toed off his shoes and shrugged out of his suit jacket, letting it fall on the couch. His tie was the next to go and he decided to strip and just crash, setting his alarm for two hours later and in a matter of seconds, he was out like a light. He groaned when his phone went off. He swore it was as if he hadn't slept and he dragged his body to the shower to wake him up. He had meetings with Kirkman all morning and he still had some things to take care of before then so the shower was quick and slipped into a clean suit before leaving, grabbing a coffee on the way there. When he walked through the halls on the White House, it was quiet like it usually was at this time of the night but slipping into his office, he places his jacket on his chair and loosely made his tie before going back to work. When he was sure that he was done, he straightened his tie and headed for some food in the break room. When he got back to his office, he already had a visitor.

"You're here early."

"Something like that." Aaron gave Seth a lopsided grin. "I have a good excuse, what's yours?"

"Weird night." He shrugged. "I was about to leave you a note. You, me, drinks later?"

"If the world doesn't end, I'm in." Seth walked around him and left, Aaron getting ready to meet with The President. The halls were starting to be filled with people as he made his way to the Oval Office and he said hi to a few people along the way. He knocked once and entered the office, Kirkman sitting behind his desk. "Mr. President."

"Aaron, what do you have for me?" Aaron handed him the folder and explained the recent crisis in Ohio.

Kirkman looked at the file and then looked back up at Aaron. "We need to fix that, fast."

"Yes Sir." He agreed.

"Get Senator Markman on the phone."

"Yes Sir." Aaron was about to leave when Kirman's voice made him turn around.

"When was the last time you slept?"

"Last night." It wasn't exactly a lie but a good night sleep was too far to remember.

"More than three hours?"

"Sir?"

"Do you think that they wouldn't tell me?"

"I grabbed a couple of hours, it's been a crazy few weeks Sir."

"I'll give you that, but I don't need my National Security Advisor exhausted. Go grab those drinks with Seth tonight and take tomorrow off, let your deputy take care of it." Aaron's surprised look made Kirkman chuckle. "Yeah, I know about those too."

"Will do Sir." He knew not to argue with the man. He sometimes acted like a father with him and him being the President of the United States, he didn't push. He took his leave and returned to his office to get the Senator on the line. After being stonewalled until lunch, he finally managed to put him through to the President and he returned to his office. He hated days like this when nothing went your way when you were trying your damnedest to fix things. He went down to see Hannah Wells for a lead on their latest intel on the FBI interrogation into a potential National threat and he swore that they would never catch the person they had their eyes on and by the time the sun has set, they were no closer to finding him.

"You look like you had a day from hell." Seth leaned against the door frame.

"So did you Mr. Press Secretary." Aaron chuckled from his desk.

"They were brutal for sure."

"I knew I made the right choice telling Kirkman to offer you that position."

"You ready to get out of here?"

"Just give me a few minutes and I'll be right behind you."

"Can I trust you?"

"Me, no, Kirkman, yes."

"I'll have to thank him, I can't get you out enough." Seth chuckled and Aaron laughed.

"Maybe when the world doesn't stop turning, we can do it more often." He pulled on his tie and turned the lamp off before following Seth out. He had already left his instructions to his deputy and he was actually looking forward to having a day off now that he was ordered to.

The two arrived at the same time and they walked through the front door talking. "Kirkman actually told you to take a day off tomorrow?" Seth raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, he said he didn't want me exhausted."

"Well he's right, you haven't slept more than two hours every night in weeks and we all know you hide clean suits in your office."

"Comes with the job." They were seated at the bar and ordered two whiskeys.

"Come on Aaron, you've got to get out some more, meet some people, women."

"And when was the last time that Seth Wright went out with a woman?" He leaned against the bar and gave Seth a knowing smirk.

"We're talking about you, keep me out of this." He scoffed with a smile.

"I don't exactly have the job to meet women Seth."

"Now that's a lousy excuse. You're a good looking son of a bitch and you're National Security Advisor to the freaking President of the United Stated. What else would women want?"

"Normal working hours Seth." He argued.

"Not all women are looking for a man with banker hours." He smiled as he recognized the voice behind him. He turned on his stool and smiled at Emily.

"Do they now?" He smirked.

"Maybe you're just lot looking in the right place." The space between them stilled, Aaron's company no longer visible to them.

"And you would know where to look right?" A throat clearing pulled them out of their moment.

"Sitting right here kids." Aaron leaned back on his stool with a laugh, Emily cocking her eyebrow at him.

"Emily Rhodes, meet Seth Wright." He started.

"Press Secretary." She extended her hand over Aaron for him to shake. "Nice to meet you Seth."

"Likewise, Emily." He smiled at her and smacked Aaron on the shoulder. "What the hell Aaron? You been going out without me?" Aaron rolled his eyes at Emily with a smile.

"I bumped into her last night, spilling her drink over her."

"And you're still interested?" Seth was in a surprisingly teasing mood.

"The jury's still out." She winked at Aaron.

"I like her."

"Can I get you a drink?" Aaron asked her.

"That would be twice in two days."

"No one's counting." He called the bartender over, ordering a new round for them and a first drink for Emily. The three of them kept talking as they knocked back drinks, Aaron insisting he picked her tab and no matter how she argued with him, there was no way he was letting her talk him out of it. Seth was providing the entertainment and in no time, Emily was laughing so hard her sides hurt. The alcohol was also doing its job, Emily gravitating closer to Aaron, her hand on his arm, something Aaron was more than aware of at that moment.

"This is my cue." Seth stood and put some bills on the bar. "I'll see you, later." He clapped Aaron on the shoulder. "And it was a pleasure meeting you." He gave his attention to Emily.

"We'll have to do this again sometime."

"Most def." He smiled and left the pair alone.

"He's funny."

"Keeps us on our toes. Another one?"

"Just one, I'll have to take a cab anyways."

"Responsible."

"Remains to be seen." Another glass showed up in front of her and Aaron and they did some meaningless chatter until Emily finished her glass. She rose from her stool with shaky legs.

"Woah there." Aaron helped steady her even if he was drunk too. "Let's get you home." Aaron paid the tab and navigated her through the thinning crowd, one hand on her lower back. He hailed a cab and as soon as one stopped in front of them, Aaron helped her in and slid in next to her.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm not going to let you go home alone in the state you're in."

"How gentleman of you." She giggled.

"My mother raised me right."

"That she did." She said barely above a whisper, Aaron catching it and offering her a smile. She gave the driver her address and it wasn't very long before they stopped in front of her building. He walked around the cab and helped her out of her side. Emily instructed him to the second floor, and he steadied her as much as he could as they rode the elevator to her floor.

Aaron walked her to her door and waited while she tried to slip the key in the lock. "Need some help?" He smirked, his alcohol level dangerously high as well.

"You think you're so charming." She slipped the key in and leaned against her door slightly, her hand on the handle.

"What do you think?" He took a step in her direction.

"I think that we're playing a dangerous game."

"And what if I said that I was willing to play it?" He whispered, his lips mere inches from hers.

"Then I say game on." She pushed her door opened and pulled on his tie and pressed her lips to his, Aaron kicking the door closed as they explored each other's mouths.

A/N: So chapter 1...always scares the shit out of me. Hope you guys liked it and please leave a review before you go, it's always appreciated. - Sarra