For the next few weeks Elizabeth and her staff worked constantly. One crisis followed another and in between fire fighting various diplomatic disasters, the staff negotiated and planned the Secretary's visit to Europe. It was a trip that was vital to the interests of the United States and the Secretary would be visiting the United Kingdom, Paris and Berlin. The United Kingdom was arguably the United States' closest ally and fellow member of NATO. With the advent of Brexit in the next couple of years, it was important for both nations to maintain a close relationship. It was also vital for national, as well as international security.

Although the relationship between the two countries wasn't without it's difficulties, it was generally considered one of the most stress free of International trips and the staff were looking forward to it. The Secretary had indicated that she wanted some time to relax while she was away, so plenty of down time had been scheduled between meetings, which also meant some downtime for the staff too. The Paris and Berlin legs of the trip would be brief, but just as important for the United States's ongoing relationship with the European Union, particularly as the United Kingdom would soon cease to be their closest allay within the European Union.

Elizabeth looked up from reviewing the final trip schedule when she heard a knock on her office door. "Nadine," Elizabeth smiled at her chief-of-staff. She found that smiling had become her default position recently whenever she saw Nadine. She'd realised it one day while passing Nadine's office; she'd caught her reflection on the glass door and what she'd seen there had surprised her; she looked relaxed and happy. That's when she'd realised that that was exactly how she felt when she was around Nadine. The older woman had an ability to soothe her.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I need to talk to you about a staffing matter that's come up relating to the trip next week."

"Sure, have a seat Nadine." Elizabeth said, already moving towards the sofa. This was where they tended to spend much of their time together while in Elizabeth's office. Most official business was carried out at her desk, but it was rare for a day to pass when the two women weren't to be found after hours, nestled on the sofa, talking. It was usually where Blake would find them when he was trying to get his boss to go home, and it was where any of the senior staff knew they'd find Nadine if she wasn't in her office. But, unless it was urgent, they usually left them in peace. It was also the place where Elizabeth ceased to be the boss and became Nadine's friend.

The staff had noticed the growing friendship between the two women. Both appeared happier and more relaxed and that benefited the whole team.

"What's up Nadine?"

"I'm afraid there's going to have to be a change in personnel for the upcoming trip. There's a conference that Russell Jackson is due to attend next week but he can't get away from the White House at the moment so he's delegated his attendance to me."

"You've got to be kidding me, Nadine. He can't do that - we leave in two days" Elizabeth stood, and began pacing in front of her desk. "You work for me, not him. He can't just decide that he wants to hijack my most valued member of staff. That's completely out of line Nadine."

Nadine was taken aback, but pleased by the vehemence of Elizabeth's reaction. She'd been crushed when Russell'd issued his edict a few minutes ago in his usual dictatorial fashion. A sense of loss and helplessness had overwhelmed her, but she was finding comfort in Elizabeth's anger and outrage.

"Ma'am, thank you, but it'll be fine. Jay will be with you and he's up to speed on all aspects of the trip."

"Damn it Nadine, don't Ma'am me. I'm pissed, and as capable as Jay is, I don't want him by my side during this trip, I want you."

Elizabeth stopped pacing and stared at her friend. The shocked but gentle smile she saw on Nadine's face made her review her words. She couldn't deny the truth of them. She wanted Nadine with her during this trip. She knew that Jay was more than capable to take on Nadine's role, but she didn't just want a chief-of-staff with her on the trip, she wanted Nadine. She had plans for them when they were in London, and she was looking forward to sharing time with her outside of the seventh floor and formal events. Her job didn't leave her much free time and any that she did have was traditionally spent with her family; for once she wanted to forget about both and spend quality time with Nadine, not just snatched conversations here and there between the last meeting of the day and going home to an increasingly empty house. This was their opportunity to do what friends did and she damn well wasn't going to let Russell Jackson ruin it for them.

"If Jay's capable of taking your place on the trip Nadine," Elizabeth said, "then he's capable of replacing you and Russell at whatever conference he's ducking out of. It'll also mean that he won't have to be away from Chloe for so long. So it's a win-win." Elizabeth sat back down on the sofa.

"I'd be grateful if you'd convey my decision to the White House Chief-of-Staff Nadine and let him know that if he has a problem with my decision — then tough. You and I are going to Europe and that's final." Nadine smiled at her friend.

"Yes Ma'am." She said - enjoying the full throated laugh that came from Elizabeth.

"Take-out? I'm starving." Elizabeth asked, but before Nadine could answer, a brief knock interrupted and Blake appeared. Nadine assumed he was there to send the Secretary home for the evening, but looking at the apprehension on his face, she decided that wasn't the case afterall, and she was right.

"Ma'am." Blake said, looking from one to the other. "Dr McCord just called. He's on his way and asked me to let you know that if you've got time, he'd like to take you out for dinner." Blake gave Nadine a look she refused to interpret and turned to leave. "I'll let you know when he arrives Ma'am."

"Thanks Blake." Elizabeth said sinking down into the sofa and Nadine turned at the note of weariness in her voice, but remained silent. Clearly Elizabeth wasn't thrilled at Blake's news and again Nadine wondered what was going on in the McCord household. Elizabeth reached out and laid her hand on Nadine's arm and Nadine couldn't help but look down at it, enjoying the warmth as well as the visceral reaction from seeing as well as feeling Elizabeth's touch.

"Rain check?" Elizabeth said squeezing Nadine's arm but not letting go.

"Sure." Nadine placed her hand on top of Elizabeth's. "Anytime." And she meant it. She knew she'd never refuse an opportunity to spend time with this woman.

Henry and Elizabeth had agreed on their local Chinese restaurant for a quick bite to eat on their way home. "You seem distracted." Henry said. "Is everything going okay with the trip?"

"Sorry Henry, yes. Everything's fine, or at least it will be once Russell Jackson realises he can't interfere with my staff." Elizabeth negotiated her chopsticks around an errant prawn.

"What'd he do this time?" Henry laughed. He was used to Elizabeth's rants about the incorrigible antics of the White House Chief-of-Staff.

"He had the gall to order Nadine to give up her place on the trip to go to some conference that he couldn't be bothered going to himself. Nadine was all set to send Jay to London with me in her place." Elizabeth snapped her jaw closed over the prawn.

"So what are you going to do?"

"I told Nadine that there's no way I'm going on this trip without her; Jay can go to the conference in Russell's place. We've put a lot of time into this visit — Russell isn't going to ruin it."

"Good." Henry said. "I'm glad Nadine's going with you. I know we decided that I didn't really need to go, but I feel better knowing that she's going to be with you."

"Me too." Elizabeth said. It had been easy for her to dissuade Henry from making the trip. Professionally he didn't have the time, and personally, she knew that she'd be more relaxed on her own.

"I like Nadine; she's good for you. Keeps you balanced."

"She does. She's such an interesting woman Henry, every time I learn something new about her another layer's unpeeled. I remember when I first met her she came across as this controlled, by the book hard ass, but there's so much depth to her. I'm loving getting to know her properly."

"Good. And how are you generally babe. It feels like we haven't seen each other in a while."

"I'm okay Henry, just tired. I guess between one thing and another we haven't had much time together recently."

"No." Henry looked down at his plate. "Maybe when you get back we can talk; spend some time together." Elizabeth was surprised by this; Henry sounded hesitant, unsure of what it was he wanted to say, and Henry never stumbled over words. He was always eloquent and considered when he spoke.

"Of course we can. I'll have some time after this trip; we can have a proper catch up when I'm back." She felt that neither of them were really saying what they meant; that they were both skirting the real issue, but she wasn't going to think about that now. She had to concentrate on the trip and she was going to enjoy the next ten days as much as she could before coming home and dealing with whatever the future held. In the meantime, she'd take the mature route and bury her head in the sand.