Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, just the plot.

We arrived at the Texas Capitol to a flurry of flashbulbs, microphones and shouting reporters. Secret Service was in overdrive, their brick wall like formation deflecting the cameras and cloud of personal questions that were being thrown around. Colin pulled me in closer to him as someone shouted about how I was such a great influence, having gone to rehab and all.

Governor Perry was inside, waiting to receive as guests. He was a friendly man with a Texas accent that rivaled George Bush Sr. He introduced us to his assistant, a young brunette girl in a no-nonsense business suit and stilettos. She didn't share the accent of the governor's, although she did admit to being from a small Texas town. I was willing to bet that she spent a lot of money on Speech class.

We were informed that the conference would start the following day and last until Friday, where there would then be a party for special guests.

Then the president and the governor were swept off to a parlor, the first ladies were given credit cards to go shopping and we were given the day to do as we pleased. So I called Misty.

Marilyn "Misty" Hayes is a Texas débutante that comes from a long bloodline of oil tycoons. Blond haired, green eyed. She was a Miss Texas, valedictorian of her class and a well known, well dressed socialite. I met Misty in rehab where, ashamed of her and her near DUI, her parents put her to treat her alcohol addiction. She was my best friend.

"Howdy gurl!" she drawled to me in an over dramatic Texas accent. Yep, I had to love Misty.

"Hi!' I replied, hugging her gently.

"What do you want to do?" she asked, wide eyed. "We can go shopping, have lunch at The Belmont..." And that's how we spent the rest of the day. Riding around in a limo, shopping and catching up with each other.

I had to admit, I was coming to really like Austin. The downtown was mixed with skyscrapers and older buildings. We were staying at the Driskill, a 19th Century hotel right in the middle of it all. "Six Street is the place to be, my friend." Misty gushed. "Although we will stick to the clubs that allow 18 year olds. I'm done with my fake ID days. I don't need another stint in rehab."

I had Misty and her family come to dinner with our group. It turned out that the president and her dad were old college roommates and had been planning to meet up during the president's stay.

It was during dinner that the lights began to flicker, then died. I heard Colin's voice call out to the hotel's manager. "Does this happen frequently?"

The manager answered, his voice shaking. "This never happens."

Instantly, we were being herded up to our rooms, the Secret Service instructing us to stay exactly where they put us until they could figure out the situation. Misty and I were put in an obscure room, one they made sure was away from windows. Colin turned to look at me before he left. "Do not open the door for anybody. I have the key to this room, I will come and let you out. OK?"

I nodded and he left.

Twenty minutes later, the lights came back on. It wasn't long until we were let out of the room and were told to proceed back down to the ballroom for a "debriefing". Colin's face was grave and pale as he walked with us.

"Is everything alright?" I asked.

He shook his head. "They got her."

I felt my eyes widen with fear. "Who?"

We walked into the room to see the president pacing the floor, his hand permanency planted in his hair, holding in a death grip. David was staring at the ground, tears in his eyes. I gasped and ran over to him, kneeling beside him. He wouldn't look at me until I took his face in my hands and looked him in the eyes. Those beautiful eyes that once showed me so much love were cold and dead. I embraced him and he whispered in my ear. "They took my mom."