The next day after another fast paced meeting in the oval Leo, CJ and Toby returned to Leo's office.

"Toby I'm telling you we can't move on the State of the Union until we're done with this budget negotiation. We need all communication coming from this White House to be that we are working with congress but we don't want to play up hopes too high, there is a good chance we could end up with another CR and I don't want it to play like a loss for us if we do."

Toby groaned, "Leo! Another CR IS a loss for us. That would be the third! We can NOT, can NOT have another CR. What would it be? 60 days? So that's perfect, a budget fight AGAIN a month before the State of the Union. Another CR would derail us completely!"

Leo shrugged, unfazed by Toby's ire, "Yeah well I'm just saying it's a possibility."

Toby shook his head. "How are we okay with settling for that?"

"What are our choices?" CJ asked.

Toby threw his hands up, "How about NOT settling for a third CR? How about this White House summons some strength, stands up and tells the congress to stop dickin' us around?!"

Leo bit back the "What strength?" comeback he wanted to lash out with, opting instead for the more passive and exasperated option, "We're doing what we do. If we get the sense it's heading in a direction we don't like we'll deal with it but right now we're doing this and you need to breathe. Okay?"

Toby made a grumbling noise but acquiesced. "Okay well I need to go, I have an interview as I need to finish hiring the last two people for the speech writing staff seeing as my deputy was absconded before he had the chance to finish!"

CJ and Leo watched Toby stalk out of the room. When he was gone CJ turned back to Leo.

"What?" he prompted

"Diane Mathers has been pestering my office."

"For what?"

CJ didn't say anything.

Leo looked up at her impatiently, "For what CJ? I don't exactly have time to sit here and play 20 questions about what Diane Mathers wants."

"Zoey." CJ bit her lip.

Leo sat down heavily. CJ rushed to share her thought, "I don't think she should do it."

Leo looked up, "You don't?"

"No."

Leo nodded. "Okay, so why bring it up?"

CJ hesitated, "She's the biggest name and she only waited this long because she's smart but she's not the only one nor the first. The press isn't going to stop asking until someone scores a sit and talk with her. The walk about in July was good to quench their thirst then, let them see she was alive and relatively healthy but they aren't going to stop until they get to talk to her."

Leo pinched his nose, "Why? I mean other than cheap tabloid interest?"

CJ shrugged, "The same reason why the gate was covered with flowers and candles. She's America's daughter and her kidnapping wasn't just an attack on the Bartletts, it was an attack on America."

Leo upturned a palm on the desk, "So you think she should do it?"

CJ held up a hand, "I think eventually she should do something, eventually, when they all think it's okay. I do not think it should be Diane. She is a much tougher interview than people think."

Leo nodded thoughtfully, "Okay, let's go." He stood and gestured that CJ should lead the way through the door. He took the opportunity to admire the way she moved. CJ may be an even bigger klutz than the president but she could move with a simple grace that had escaped Leo since Hanoi. He subconsciously stretched his leg as they entered the Oval.

He let CJ explain to the president what she had told him. Finally the president nodded his assent.

"Okay. But we leave it to the girls. We can set something up if Zoey wants to and we'll only ask her if Abbey is okay with it."

CJ nodded, "Okay. I'll call her this afternoon?"

The President shook his head dismissively, "Nah, I'll do it."

Leo and CJ shared a quick surprised glance.

"Oh. Okay. Well have her call me when you know...or, or you could...someone let me know and I'll help set it up."

The president nodded in bemusement.

"Leo, I'll be in my office..." CJ gesticulated over her shoulder and left the room at Leo's nod.

He remained where he stood, waiting as the president sorted through the things on his desk. Without looking up the President murmured, "You know I resent the hell out of you shoving Stanley down my throat."

Leo nodded, "The log book shows he didn't leave until after nine."

Jed looked at him, "I resent the hell out of it Leo."

Leo nodded and turned to leave the room. At the door he paused, "You'll call Abbey?"

Jed nodded, "Yeah, I'll call."

Leo smiled to himself and left the room.