The President was scheduled for two weeks in Western Europe. The first leg of their tour they spent in Scandinavia. As the corps settled into their suites, Suzanne learned her belongings were lost in transit. Clothes, according to her, were easy to replace. It was discovered that her clothing was in Helsinki, confused with other materials.
Technology made it possible to browse, purchase and pickup. She liked Evans, shopped there while in Oxford years ago. Within five minutes, she purchased two dresses and a small jacket. An associate dropped off her purchase at the lobby.
"I'm going to try on my new dress." She informed the President, turning her computer tablet. "I needed an outfit."
"You still owe me 4 miles." The President reminded. He and Suzanne scheduled to take a run but postponed it until her luggage made it.
On her I-Pod was a mixture of old school music. She stumbled across a song that seemed to describe her newfound confidence associated with her position:'Sophisticated Lady.' The tune coincided with the new outfit, new job title.
Everyone knows how she got her name, yeah…
Suzanne Gibbs became a reluctant role model for women and young girls because of the dress. She was irritated once the flashbulbs popped…and her name called in frenzy that winter afternoon in London.
Tim McGee noticed his boss' wife on the 24 hour news channel. The glimpse of her behind the President of the United States was not unusual. The story featuring only Suzanne Gibbs, however, was completely a surprise.
"Boss, Suzanne is a featured story." Tim adjusted the volume from his chair. Jethro focused his attention onto the wide screen, flashing the term "Fashion Icon?"
"The President's aide, Suzanne Gibbs, had this to say…" The reporter began and an image of Suzanne, dressed in a black sleeveless, mock turtleneck maxi dress and gray jacket appeared on the screen.
"'I purchased the dress at Evans, because my clothes were misplaced during transit…I had the shoes on hand, yes I did…No, I don't think of myself as a fashion icon. Are you kidding?!" The reporters chuckled to her eyebrow raise, slight lighthearted voice. She did wear the high-heeled steppers, a red wedge heel to compliment her clutch bag.
"I liked the dress, I bought it, and I wore it. End of story.'"
The flashbulbs popped, reporters screaming additional questions.
"'Really?! We're having this conversation? Please focus on both President Owens and the Prime Minister's messages regarding the Global Initiative, instead of what I'm wearing onstage. Both presented very insight viewpoints regarding our planet. Thank you.'"
"Classic Suzanne…" Gibbs chuckled. He continued watching the newscast, noticing the way her outfit accentuated her curves, how it flowed as she moved. The cameras rolled, pictures taken of the two drafting last-minute notes. Suzanne's glasses were off, her eyes lined with a smoky gray eyeliner to appear larger. The hair, wavy, was perfectly wrapped around her earlobe with a wispy side bang covered her left eye. She left with Evelyn, a junior aide and several other Secret Service agents.
"She will not feed into that nonsense."
"Oh, damn!" Tony commented as he glanced at the screen. "Is that Mrs. Gibbs?"
"She works out with the President four times a week…" Jethro replied. "She has a nice body."
"When she gets bored with you..." Tobias Fornell glanced on-screen at his friend's wife, shaking his head approvingly and giving a wolf whistle. It was common knowledge Tobias and Jethro share Diane, an ex-wife. Jethro gave him the stare—the piercing look of seriousness, the unspoken 'you've crossed the line' look.
"You're not her type."
Jethro smiled when Suzanne appeared on the screen again. He dialed his cellphone and patiently waited for the receiving call to respond.
"Hello, Sweetie." Suzanne greeted.
"Nice dress, Suz."
"Jethro…" Suzanne whispered. She leaned on the Presidential limo, waiting for the President. One foot was placed inside, the other on the ground. "I swear! That dumb cameraman from ZNN…I didn't realize…"
"…that DiNozzo, Tobias and the entire free world will forever call you 'First Hottie?'"
"The wrong bags were sent! Half of my clothes are in Brussels, Helsinki…hell who knows?! At least his are with us."
"No need to explain." Jethro chuckled. "You look very, very nice."
Suzanne smiled, took a deep breath, finally sat inside the limo.
"Will you wear that LBD when you come home?"
"Not for long…" Suzanne muttered, snickering. "I'll be home in another week…"
The President emerged and sat beside Suzanne. "I need to discuss that at a later time, okay?"
"He's around, isn't he?"
"Say hello to your husband for me, Q." The President said.
"Jethro, I will speak with you later." Suzanne's voice hesitated from embarrassment. Before she could disconnect, the President grabbed her phone.
"Jethro, did you see what your wife was wearing?" The President continued.
"Would you please…?!" Suzanne laughed.
"I know…risqué for a press conference, wasn't it?" When Suzanne finally got her phone, it was silent.
"The line disconnected soon as I grabbed it." The President replied. "Gotcha!"
"How many days until we get back to Washington?" Suzanne moaned.
"The camera loves you."
Jethro smiled, even beamed with pride. His happiness was a result of Suzanne's sudden popularity. The two shared a phone conversation. In London, 5 hours later, but still working hours for Special Agent Gibbs, he wanted to speak with his wife.
"I didn't expect…" Suzanne stretched across the bed, head resting on the pillow. She smiled coyly, tilted her head.
"You're tilting your head."
"Really?"
"Yes, really." Gibbs chuckled. "You do that whenever someone compliments you."
"So…I guess I should wear more dresses on the road?" Suzanne inquired.
"Not like that one."
The two laughed.
"Besides…" Jethro continued. "I'd like to know I'm the only one who knows your body on an intimate basis."
"You are the only one…" Suzanne whispered. "And in four days, you will be reintroduced."
"I love you, Suzanne." Jethro said.
"I love you too." Suzanne yawned, concluded their conversation.
"Yeah, Mrs. Gibbs."
They called her…Mrs. Gibbs! The President sensed distraction from his aide. It was 04:30 when he called her suite.
"Good Morning, Sunshine! Let's go for a run."
"I…I need to run it by Secret Service." She groggily responded.
"Dash is giving the okay. He's with me."
"Is it morning or afternoon?" Suzanne fumbled for her glasses. "Oh…" She noticed 04:40. "I don't have all my gear." She remembered.
"Look in front of the door." She climbed out of bed and for the door. Her small bag was sitting at the front.
"Your bag came in late last night."
"10 minutes, Q." The President said and then disconnected.
"Damn!" Suzanne growled.
"We hear you."
"Well, hear this!" Suzanne slammed the suite door.
Suzanne was ready within 10 minutes, meeting with the President in a secured lobby area.
"The usual?" Suzanne asked. The usual was 3 miles.
"We'll do this without the Press Corps and without these." The President yanked her headphones. "We need to talk, Gibbs."
"I'm not too much for conversation, Mr. President." Suzanne looked agitated. "Please, let's go for our run."
Suzanne's beginning pace was hard, which threw off the President. She usually began conservatively, a light jog to keep pace with the faster running boss. Her speed was a 9, 9 ½ minutes for a single mile. Suzanne began and continued strong, clocking in at 7.
"Are you running the 440 today?"
"I wasn't expecting to live in a fish bowl too." Suzanne said.
"You're a woman doing a supposed man's job…" The President used the air quotation. "Dresses, high-heeled steppers, and the right touch of makeup…the world noticed."
The President chuckled as she looked annoyed. He continued with a daring suggestion.
"Give them what they want, Q. Have Daisy arrange a ZNN exclusive interview while here in England."
Suzanne stopped in mid-stride.
"Mr. President, you are the focus, not your aide." She responded to his idea. "Besides, I want people to know I'm competent, not just a pretty face or your 'yes' woman."
"It's the only way the press will leave you alone." Members of the Secret Service nodded in agreement. "Besides, it can be good exposure for your career. You will move onto bigger endeavors—Madame Counselor."
Suzanne sighed, agreed non-verbally to the interview for the sake of sanity. The President wanted to visit Oxford, about a two hour drive from London. Suzanne was familiar with the town due to her study-abroad experience. Daisy arranged the interview and briefed the President. He in turn, briefed the aide on the interviewing process.
She said very little, just "Good Morning" and "Hello." Suzanne read notes, jotted additional notations on her tablet, and reminded the President to call Kay and the children at 20:00 hours, London time.
"They're going to follow you around for photo-opportunities, to give an inside look of your position." The President shared with Suzanne as the entourage stepped into their building. With a simple finger, the Secret Service detail requested the camera off, leaving the two alone in conversation. The latter part of the President's comments surprised and comforted Suzanne.
"I stated to the network not to ask embarrassing or personal questions. I will be available to keep them true to their word. It's a dual interview."
"Thank you, Mr. President."
Suzanne rode in the primary vehicle with the President, Dash, and a camera person.
"What are the songs for today?" Dash noticed the head bop while reading documents.
"Lenny Kravitz, some Culture Club, Duran Duran. I selected two of each—high and low energy." The playlist was for the next three mile run; she was in charge of music.
"She enjoys all types of music." The President added. "If I were to classify her musical taste, I would say Classic R&B, Classic Rock, and obviously, her New Wave. The I-Pods are filled with different genres; sometimes, it will be weeks before the song is repeated."
The cameraman tried to ask questions during the drive.
"Are you always focused on your job?"
"Yes." Suzanne replied.
"What is your life after work hours?"
"That is personal."
Dash, the Secret Service agent, assisted with some additional information.
"Suzanne—rather Mrs. Gibbs—is heavily committed to the Wounded Warrior Project and Habitat for Humanity." He answered. "Her motto is to do, not talk."
The group finally reached the destination. Suzanne, the President and Dash all walked together, the cameraman keeping in stride.
"Suzanne, I need you to get the Press Corps on the same page…"
"Yes, Mr. President." The camera was intrusive.
"Listen, my personal life is strictly off limits for an on-air discussion. I am more than willing to discuss my qualifications, job description, some nuisances that come with the post, and perhaps who influences my clothing style. That's all I will politely answer. Otherwise, I will stop this interview and leave."
Suzanne's microphone was live. The camera was on, meaning her short soliloquy was saved for prosperity.
"Your mike was on." Dash informed.
"I don't care." Suzanne replied. "Sometimes, you have to set the tone."
"Mrs. Gibbs, I will respect your wishes." She extended her hand. Suzanne shook vigorously and smiled. "Just relax and be yourself."
"Trust me, I have been myself today…" Suzanne retorted.
"You have a very nice smile."
"Thank you, but I'm still not commenting any more about my personal life." Suzanne laughed, smiled, even covering her hand over her mouth.
"Oh…you are married?" It was a valid question. The camera lights reflected from Suzanne's engagement and wedding bands.
Suzanne smiled. "I'm happily married. "My husband and I are very private people. We'd wish to remain that way."
"So…no additional information about you and…?"
"You're very persistent, aren't you? Listen, the stressors associated with this position are challenging enough. I don't wish to discuss my personal life."
"It seems that you are very committed to both your personal and professional life, but you keep a definitive line between the two worlds." The reporter commented.
"It is important to have privacy and a life outside your work while your outside life remains away from the job…questions about my husband are off limits."
Her cellphone chimed. Suzanne excused, distanced herself further away from the cameras, the microphone as she accepted the call. All was heard was "Hi." She smiled throughout the phone call, which the cameras captured.
The finished copy was spectacular. In fact, it pleased Suzanne. The theme song of her life with the White House, "Always on the Run" played in the background as an introduction.
But I'm always on the run
(But I'm always on the run)
But I'm always on the run
(Oh, run)
But I'm always on the run
(Always on the run)
But I'm always on the run
"Try and keep up with me." Suzanne warned. Wearing her running clothing, Suzanne began her jog, without the President, only a member from Secret Service detail. "See ya later." The camera could not keep up; she was pretty fast.
Throughout the voice over, various pictures of her—at work, even with NCIS, speaking at Georgetown's Commencement, personal ones from the White House, like sitting at her desk, or standing in the doorway speaking with the President were used.
It was a voice-over, explaining how Suzanne became a "surrogate little sister" to the President and Mrs. Owens. The President smiled, chuckled when responding about the impact of her appointment.
"My wife recommended changing the cultural landscape of the White House by hiring a female aide. They met in the corridor after the initial interview, literally bumping into one another! Kay said two things convincing me to hire Suzanne. She admired her manners and originality. Suzanne pays attention a great amount of detail. She is extremely focused, sometimes unyielding, inflexible, and confrontational but it is for a larger vision."
The second part of her interview was formal, with Suzanne in career attire, sitting very tall and looking the part of Presidential Aide.
"Speaking of originality, Mrs. Gibbs, let's discuss your style."
Suzanne laughed. "What style and flair?! I select pieces that are comfortable and interject some of my quirkiness into the wardrobe like sneakers, neckties, and scarves. I'd like for my body of work to qualify as style and flair."
"Understandable." The reporter nodded. "It seems you are annoyed."
"Not annoyed, Holly." Suzanne said, smiled. "I think there are more important, more pressing issues than showing my shoulders or wearing a dress and heeled shoes. The dress heard around the world! Anyway, that's not a Presidential concern or an issue for the American people or international audiences—my wardrobe. It's a nice diversion."
"Well, it showed people that you are in good shape."
"The dress was the only option I had, because my other clothing bags were in transit!" Suzanne sighed. "I went to Evans to buy the dress and tights—probably the last time I will have an opportunity to go anywhere incognito."
"Thinking of political office, Mrs. Gibbs?"
"Not at all!" Suzanne laughed."I'm a licensed lawyer and plan to devote my degree and expertise to community and activism cases pro-bono once I finish my time at the White House. The only reason I agreed to the interview was to finally put the Suzanne Gibbs interest behind me once and for all."
"So let's talk about your credentials, your responsibilities with the office." The reporter began. I've done the research on you and your different transitions through life..." The reporter nodded, as everyday conversations, activities with the White House intertwined with photos from her days with the White House. "Willing to share?"
"I have a Bachelor's degree in Government from William and Mary and a joint Master of Public Policy and Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. I am originally from Southeastern Virginia—that's where I call my home due to my father's military career. I lived in Virginia for the past 15 years, moved there in eighth grade. I have lived in Washington for the past 6 years…Before my career with the President, I served in the Peace Corps, came back to study at Georgetown and worked for NCIS as a craft-services supervisor."
"What is a typical day for you with the President?"
"It all depends. My official title is Presidential Aide. I am the person who creates and revises the President's schedule. I work in conjunction with the Scheduling and Press Departments. Sometimes, I'm typing memos to others, checking and rechecking facts and figures. I attend the personal and professional needs of the President. That is my official job title."
"Personal needs?"
"Clarification…" Suzanne detailed with specific examples. "I make sure the President has gum, his work tablet with information, help with the I-Pod music selections, pens and most of all, pictures of his family. I fill in when the President needs a third for a basketball game or a jogging partner. We take turns in selecting musical themes for the day. We often take a run together, just to clear our heads."
The interviewer shared a hard copy on camera, where Suzanne laughed, thinking of the origin of the photo.
"Is that off limits?"
"No, of course not." Suzanne responded. "I'm proud of my association with the Peace Corps. In fact, I plan to revisit the area, spend several weeks teaching history at the community school within the next year or two." Suzanne smiled, her hands gently touching the picture of the community elders.
"That photo was of me with the sewing circle—Edredones para la paz. Our community created quilts for fair trade with profits towards the education program. Every stitch, every color and symbol relates to the rich history of Central American culture. One of the valuable lessons I learned in life—sewing."I hope you allow me to take this with me. It brings back very fond memories."
"So traveling is second nature to you?" Suzanne nodded affirmatively.
"Well, it certainly makes a person humble." Suzanne replied. "While at William and Mary, I spent a semester in Oxford-Hertford College. That's how I maneuvered away from the cameras during the run! I went on walks and learned my way around Oxford."
The clip of Suzanne running away from the cameras was shown during the interview.
The interviewer found a picture of a 20 year old Suzanne in the lawn, sketchpad and all.
"England is a second home to you?"
"I love it!"
"Mr. President…" The reporter smiled, seemed surprised at his presence. "Obviously, Mrs. Gibbs has lengthy qualifications as your aide. What else convinced you to hire Mrs. Gibbs?"
"Suzanne is an over-qualified candidate for the office, but I have learned very quickly to utilize all her talents. She is a wonderful employee—fiercely loyal, dedicated, and an asset to the American people. Suzanne—Mrs. Gibbs—is also very modest, always, always emphasizing the team spirit."
"Thank you, Mr. President." Suzanne responded.