Written for the prompt: things you said with too many miles between us. Set between SR3 and IV, though much closer to IV.

V set her head in her hands, and tried to breathe. Locked in her office, this was the only time she'd been able to isolate herself in the last few weeks, and she wished a pillow was there so she could scream into it.

She liked people. Genuinely liked being around them, and interacting with them, and at times had even managed to use that as a quick pick me up.

Right now all she wanted to do was say, "fuck it" seek out a desert island, and take an extended holiday. The road to the White House wasn't going to be easy, a fact that Ben sure as hell made clear to her once she managed to twist his arm into joining them, but the truth still wore her down. Because what good were good intentions and goals, if no one was going to buy what was coming out of her mouth?

Her phone started buzzing in her pocket, and she groaned. A part of her was sorely tempted to let it keep on going to voicemail, but as she rested there with her cheek to her desk, she knew it would be better to check who it was first.

She dragged it out and glanced at the number. Her heart went into her throat as she sat up, and stared blankly at her cell until her brain forced itself back into gear. Swallowing hard, she quickly answered it and raised the phone to her ear. "Hello?"

"…Uh, hey."

"Hey," V replied, her grip tight on the phone. "This is a little out of the blue."

"Wasn't sure if this was a good time to call with everything going on. I figured I'd hit your voicemail."

If she'd answered a few seconds later, Troy would've. He would've left a short and quick message, leaving her staring at his number while she worked up the nerve to call him back. The old awkwardness wasn't anywhere near as strong as it used to be, but the fond feeling that came with hearing his voice again only seemed to grow by the day.

She knew better. Told herself not to dwell on it any longer than she needed to, but with that warm sensation settling over her, she couldn't help it. "I'm busy, but who isn't? It's tough work convincing the country that they actually want me in office, but I've got good people backing me up. That has to count for something."

"Sure," Troy said, with a note of amusement, "but with a crowd like that it's not going to go far."

"A girl can dream. Anyway, they've had me running around all day, but I managed to duck out for a bit. And since this is kind of my break, I suppose I can spare a few minutes for Stilwater's Police Chief. So, shoot. What's going on?"

"You know you didn't have to, right?"

"Didn't have to…?"

""Send anything." Troy sighed over the line as V processed his statement, and when she didn't reply he spoke up again. "It's not every day I come home to a package on my doorstep that isn't some kinda political statement, you know?"

"I, uh…" Her throat closed up, and she swallowed hard. "Fuck. Um, I should've called ahead. Warned you. The dogs didn't have too much of a field day with it, did they?" she asked, her voice wavering.

"No. It didn't get mauled," he said with a laugh. "Managed to wrestle it away just in the nick of time."

"Good. Good to hear."

"I think you were reading my mind, though."

She tugged at a strand of her hair, and started to wrap it tight around her finger. "Oh?"

"Yeah. I'd actually busted my watch the month before, but hadn't had time to find a decent replacement yet. Been mostly working off of my phone, but it's a poor substitute."

"So how'd I do, Chief?" V bit the inside of her cheek, and cursed herself for the slip. "Not too shabby?"

"Nope. Not at all," he said, warmly, and she wished she could've seen the smile that went with that tone. "Fits well, and runs well. You shouldn't have."

"I remember you used to complain about your old one. It kept slowing down, so I figured maybe this might be the year it'd finally give up the fight. And um…I thought I'd do a little more for you this time around." Troy went silent, and V chewed on the corner of her lip, before quickly replying, "You know. After the last little mess the campaign left, I've been wanting to make it up to you."

"V. You could've sent a shitty postcard, and I'd have been fine with it."

"For your birthday? No dice, Troy. Haven't done it before, and I don't want to start now. Besides, it's not every day I get to surprise my fav-"

Two beeps rang out, and she narrowed her eyes at her phone. Another number popped up – Shaundi's – and she sighed deeply.

"Gotta go?" she heard Troy ask, and she nodded.

"Yeah. Shaundi's being nice by calling ahead, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were trying to hunt me down as we speak. It's probably for a meeting, or an interview, or a meeting before an interview. Shit like that. Sorry, it's um, how about…" Her words caught, and she grasped for something, anything.

So, when Troy cleared his throat, V was almost at a loss. "Hey, when this all dies down later, or if you ever need a break, you-you know I'm always a call away, right? If you need someone to listen, or to talk about something other than ads or obligations."

"Later? Not a lot of chances for later."

"Yeah, I get it, but…if you ever want a minute to talk anything but politics, I'm open."

"Anytime? Busy guy like you?"

"Anytime."

A warm swell hit her again, settling right in her chest. It made her mouth twist, as she considered it, because she knew what her answer should be. What it needed to be. It was better that way - safer, she kept on telling herself.

But while her head knew this, her heart had other ideas, and for once she was set on telling logic to shut the hell up. "Sure. I'd like that. I'd like that a lot." Another beep went through, making her swear under her breath. "Sorry, I've gotta go, but before I forget, happy birthday, Troy. I know it's hard, but relax. Or try to."

"Easier said than done, but thanks. Take care, V."

He hung up, and it wasn't until she felt the sting that she realized how hard she'd been chewing on her lip. She shook it off, however, and took in a deep breath before getting up.

Later.

She could work with that.