A/N: I don't own anything, and none of the people are real.

8:30 am.

Emily was on her way to Capitol Hill when she heard that familiar buzzing. She looked at her work phone at a red light, but that wasn't it. Could it be her personal phone? It obviously had to be, but she hadn't used it that often. She used it about once a week to call her parents. Even then, her mom would call her work phone when Emily forgot to call her, which happened more often than Emily would like to admit.

She pulled into a parking spot and grabbed her bag. On her way to Senator Nelson's office, she dug out her phone. Aaron. Why would Aaron be texting her personal phone?

"Emily, hey!" Nadia's bright voice brought Emily back to reality.

"Hi, Nadia, how are you? How are you liking working for Flores?" Emily smiled brightly. Nadia was sweet. She knew from the last time they met. Emily hoped that she would have the chance to get to know her even better.

"It's great! She's so amazing, and I've learned a ton already." Emily couldn't help but envy the excitement in Nadia's voice. It's been awhile since Emily felt that way about her own job.

"That's amazing! I'm so happy for you," Emily's smile was genuine.

"Can I ask you a question?" Nadia stopped walking and gently grabbed Emily's arm to face her. "Is Aaron ok? I texted him about my new job, but he hasn't responded." Emily tilted her head to the side. She was sure Nadia didn't know about their relationship or whatever it was.

Emily grabbed her hand and squeezed gently. "I'm sure he's ok. Things have been crazy at the White House. I'll let him know to give you a call." She smiled at Nadia. She couldn't help but feel guilty….

As Emily started walking away, Nadia called out, "Wanna get lunch?"

Emily turned and nodded, "That would be great!"

9:15 am.

Emily was sitting in Senator Nelson's office. She had a relaxed smile to mask her absolute disgust. How this man ever got elected was beyond her.

She was good at reading people, reading situations. Unbeknownst to many, she was a psychology minor in college, and if she was being honest with herself, it should have been her major.

As soon as she met him, she got chills. This guy was old fashioned, women-shouldn't-be-in-politics old fashioned. He made it clear to Emily that in his eyes, Emily was just the messenger. She didn't have a brain to be able to be discussing health care with him.

Emily knew she could easily manipulate him. She didn't need a minor in psychology to tell her that. After all, she was a woman. She had too much experience with assholes like Nelson.

Emily's work phone buzzed. She gave Nelson a dazzling smile and touched his arm. "I'm so sorry. This might be the president. I just have to check in case it's an emergency." She didn't actually have to check. They had decided at this morning's meeting that Aaron would handle any emergencies, but she needed a distraction, a reality check. Ok, so she was manipulating the Senator just a little, but this guy was scum. Surely, manipulation was ok in this situation.

There was that guilt again, settling into Emily's stomach.

Aaron.

"It wasn't Seth. How's Capitol Hill?"

Emily wished she had time to respond. She hadn't even looked at the message on her personal phone.

She smiled up at Nelson, "Not an emergency. Can you explain to me again the benefits of cutting Medicare?"

It was going to be a long morning.

10:30 am.

If anyone asked, Emily would not be able to lie. That meeting with Senator Nelson was a nightmare, dry and boring. He didn't want to talk about anything substantial because she was a woman, and when he did say something about health care, his tone made Emily feel like she was in kindergarten again. Apparently, women don't know anything about health care, even when it pertains to them.

Now, she was sitting in an office with Senator Ward and her aide.

"Was Senator Nelson on his best behavior? He's a tough one," Ward said, At least, we can really get to work now." Emily appreciated the senator's work ethic and her willingness to compromise.

"Yes, let's get to work. I understand you're concerned about the cost of the bill?"

This conversation was why Emily got into politics in the first place. She wanted to help people, all people, and she saw a major flaw in Congress. It was all party over country, and compromises were rare instead of the norm. There was no working together. She wanted to change that.

12:00 pm.

Emily walked to Nadia's office, phone in hand answering a ridiculous email from her deputy. She hated that she had to be away from the office again so soon after traveling to Charlottesville. She'd assess the damage her deputy managed when she got back later this evening.

With a soft knock, Emily peeked her head into Nadia's small office. She could see the family pictures and feel the hominess. She could feel a slight pang of jealousy, but she quickly pushed it aside.

"Do you have time for lunch?" Emily asked Nadia hopefully.

Nadia looked up from her paperwork and grinned, "Yes! Do you like Mexican? There's a really good Mexican place, El Limon, that's super close."

1:00 pm.

After lunch, Emily went back to meeting with senators, but she felt refreshed after talking to Nadia. She learned a lot about Nadia's goals and dreams. She remembered when she was that excited about her own political career….

"Emily, sorry I'm late," Senator Smith greeted her with an outstretched hand.

"Nice to meet you, Senator Smith," Emily replied with her textbook smile. She could feel the senator's eyes move up and down her body, not another pig.

"Shall we get started?" Emily asked to try to redirect his attention. She knew it was something she'd have to stay on top of for the next hour.

5:30 pm.

Emily was finally leaving Capitol Hill. She had stopped by Nadia's office to thank her for lunch and then headed out. She really liked Nadia. She could tell that Nadia was a good person, had good ethics and morals. Emily hoped that Nadia would achieve her dream of becoming a senator herself one day. Congress could use senators like Nadia.

She was hoping to get back to the West Wing sooner, so she could get to dinner with Aaron sooner, but she gave up after her last meeting of the day ran late.

6:15 pm.

Emily leaned on the doorframe of Aaron's office, jacket still on, briefcase in hand.

She smiled, watching him, until he hung up the phone.

"Sorry I'm late," she said softly. Aaron gave her a smile, but it quickly faded.

"We need to talk, Em. Close the door."

Emily could feel her own smile fall as she closed the door. She moved towards the chairs opposite Aaron's desk and sat down without saying anything. She felt like she was going to be sick. She could tell that this was something personal, and she didn't think it was going to be good.

The message. Emily mentally kicked herself. She still hadn't opened Aaron's message on her personal phone.

"Kirkman talked to me today about you." Emily could feel her eyebrows instinctively raise. That wasn't what she was expecting.

"He's worried about you. He thinks that we were in a serious relationship before he asked you to investigate me." Aaron's voice was soft as he came around the front of his desk and leaned on it.

"He also thinks that by ordering you to investigate me, it is his fault we aren't together." Aaron paused, and Emily didn't have to look at him to tell he was smirking. "And so he thinks it's his fault that you are so miserable."

Emily sat back in the chair. She could handle this. She started laughing.

"Stop distracting me," Aaron said practically in a whisper. He was looking at her in a way that made her comfortable and uncomfortable all at once, especially when they were at work.

"What?" Emily asked quizzically.

"You're beautiful when you smile, but there's more." Aaron moved over so he was standing almost directly in front of Emily. Without breaking his gaze into her eyes, he whispered, "He told me not to blame you. He said he didn't give you a choice in investigating me. Your job depended on it. He told me you didn't think it was possible, and you wanted to cross my name off the list immediately."

Emily broke his gaze and looked at her hands folded in her lap. Her fingers were squeezing each other, something that she did when she was uncomfortable or in pain.

Maybe she couldn't handle this.