The next morning, Martin carefully and quietly slid out of bed and went to make coffee before Lily woke up. It was going to be like a typical Saturday morning for them, he promised himself. Their argument, their distrust, gone like the darkness, but when he sat down on the couch to await the knock of the breakfast delivery, he saw the signed letter on her letterhead.

Honorable Members of the Judicial Subcommittee of The United States Congress:

Effective immediately, I, Lillian Rose Anderson, do tender my resignation. After careful consideration, I feel I can no longer be effective and perform my duties to the best of my abilities in my current position and feel it is time for me to move on. There are two highly competent attorneys in my office that would be able to fill the gap left by my absence and I leave the decision of which one should in your capable hands.

For the past seven years, I have dutifully served with honor on behalf of this subcommittee and it is with a heavy heart that I make my decision to leave. This position will always be a sense of pride for me and I thank you all for the opportunity and trust that this committee has shown me.

Best regards,

Lillian R. Anderson

Martin sat on the couch stunned. It explained why Senator Todd George was in her lobby last night at eight o'clock and just who she had expected at her door. It didn't explain why she had drafted it. "Morning." He forced a smile when he heard her open the bedroom door. "Coffee's up and breakfast will be here any minute."

"Thank you." Lily smiled, but it faded when she saw what was in his hand.

"Are you serious?"

"As serious as a heart attack."

"Why?"

"I just can't do it anymore. I can't play the game. The stakes are too high."

"Tiger Lily," he kissed the top of her head as he took her into his arms, "don't punish yourself for something I did. You were trying to tell me what happened and I just wasn't listening."

"Sweetheart, it's over."

"It's not over until Toad comes over this afternoon and gets this."

"He was supposed to be by last night."

"Yeah, I know." He grinned. "I sort of sent him away. Now, I'm glad I did." Ripping the paper in half, he threw it back onto the table. "No printing another one, Lil. OK?"

"OK." She laughed and kissed his neck.

That afternoon, Martin held her hand as they walked through the touristiest parts of D.C. It had been his idea, wanting to be where they could limit the number of people who would recognize them, wanting to spend the day only with her, not wanting to share her with anyone, and they easily blended into the crowd. Her in a soft cotton t-shirt and faded blue jeans, her long raven locks touching the waistband, and him in about the same, blended perfectly into the early Spring crowd bustling to see the cherry blossoms and historic sites. Kissing her temple, he slid his hand onto the small of her back, her silky luxurious tresses warming his hand. "Anywhere specific you want to go?" She didn't answer him, just lay her head on his shoulder, and he took her hand back in his, feeling just how cold it had gotten. "Come on, Southern Deb, I'm going to buy you a hot chocolate." Pulling her into a little café, he took her into his arms as they slid into a booth. "Better?"

"Much."

He kissed the top of her head. "You've been awfully silent."

"I'm just enjoying the day and having you all to myself."

"I know the feeling."

"Martin?" She asked once they blended back into the tourists.

"Lily?"

"Do we have to go back to work on Monday?"

He laughed and kissed her temple. "I'm afraid so. Though, I'm not entirely sure that I'm going to have a job on Monday since I decked my father yesterday."

"Honey, if Jack can get away with all the stuff that he pulls, I'm pretty sure your emotional outburst will be chalked up to you working for Jack for too long." She smiled as he laughed again. "I just don't want to go back to the office on Monday. I want to spend everyday for the rest of our lives like today."

"I wish we could, Lil."