Leo glanced at his watch and realised the time didn't matter, half past, quarter past, ten past, it was all still past late. Judge Markway knew the deck was stacked in his favour and wasn't letting them get away with rushing this. Leo, quiet in his post on a chair that was part of the circle of chairs and yet a few inches back so that he was an observer rather than a participator, looked to the man who was meant to make life easier for them but seemed determined to make it harder.

Laurence Markway was a pleasant faced man, twinkle eyed and smiling, neat with short, silver streaked white hair and a moustache to match, he looked easygoing when he was anything but. A colourful history in government, he had been a congressman for Virginia's fifth congressional district a couple of times, after his second term had ended he'd tried for the governor's post and suffered a narrow loss to a Republican. Now, he was a judge but the politics had remained with him and he still had a lot of support.

The President of the United States, Jed Bartlet, sat opposite the judge, calm faced and smiling politely, barely showing that they had been here for almost three hours now and made no headway.

Leo hated the deception, it was necessary but risky and given Jed was only just off the hook for concealing his M.S from the world, they couldn't afford to be tarnished with any more implications of secrecy. It was more difficult for Leo because it involved his daughters.

They had all come today to Chesapeake Bay under the pretence of team building with the promise to stop by in Chesapeake to bid Leo's youngest daughter a happy birthday before they would then continue the team building. It was why Mallory waited impatiently in another room, to keep up the guise that Leo and Jed were here strictly for Cadence's birthday because the team building wasn't going to wash with the team already at Tom's home. Leo knew he should think of it as Tom and Cadence's home but he couldn't, two years and it was still too soon for him to think of things like that.

Leo's weary blue gaze drifted back to the judge. He was the real reason for the visit, Jed was trying to talk Judge Markway into running for the senate for the state of Virginia. The meeting was secret because the President shouldn't be hand picking candidates like this, and if it got out that he was then the rest of the Democrats' Party would have a fit. There were other Democrats who planned to run for the seat, weak ones who would get beat. The other seat for Virginia belonged to a Republican and they definitely couldn't afford another one getting in, especially not with the Presidential election looming. The problem was that there was a strong rumour that amongst the Republicans who were going to run for the seat there was one who was liable to beat them all and get it- Tom Landis.

"If Landis throws his hat in the ring it's going to be tough," the judge remarked calmly as he crossed his right leg over the left. He had swapped legs ten times since Leo had started counting the movement. "He's a man of the people, probably makes him weak in the Senate but popular enough to get him there."

Laurence's curious green stare sought out Leo and he gave him a smile of charm. "Isn't he dating your daughter? Sure you want to go against the man? Could do worse for a Republican."

Leo bristled at the judge's words, knowing the man wanted a reaction as he fought to resist giving him one.

"That's the point Larry," Jed said gently, "he is a Republican and no matter how nice one is we could still do without them in the Senate. Come on now, aren't you up for taking him on?"

Now it was Laurence's turn to frown but it was brief as he brought back the smile almost instantly. "Sir, as I said, I'm flattered you think of me but with it being an election year and the security of the party uncertain, I'm not sure now is the time for me to run."

"Well when is?" Leo blurted out before he could help it. He leaned forward in his seat, inserting himself into the conversation as he gave the man a wide eyed look of exasperation. "A senate's seat lasts five years, are you waiting then until Jed has had his second term and someone unknown is a year into their third? And what if it's a Republican?"

"What if it's one for this term?" Laurence retorted waspishly. His green gaze darted to Jed with false sentiments of apology glistening in it. "Sir, you have my full support as always but elections are never guaranteed."

"Right, which is why I'd like to have my support ready for the fight," Jed retorted. "Larry we've been at this a few hours now, let's get down to the point. What will it take for you to run?" he queried bluntly.

"When I've knocked out the other Democrats, public support from you sir and not just the kind one expects from the party lead, I want personal support. Love from the president gets love from the people and the party."

Leo's face curdled slightly prompting Jed to wave him to sit back in his seat. Leo sat back reluctantly, cursing Tom Landis in his head ten times over. How in the hell had a liberal who had quit politics managed to cause such an uproar? He thought dryly that only Landis could have pulled off a stunt like this.

"Also," Laurence continued, "I want you to speak out against Landis, that's what it will take sir and we both know it. There's an uncertainty over your feelings to him, well over certain members of your party's feelings I suppose," he added as he looked to Leo pointedly. "It's a little too ambiguous, probably fine when he didn't matter but now he does."

Leo tensed again, Cadence's feelings to him were already shaky at best and showing up late to her birthday party wasn't going to help, he could only imagine the scathing hatred she would have for him if he helped publicly bash her boyfriend.

"We have nothing to go at Tom with," Jed dismissed.

Laurence raised his eyebrows slightly at this. "I may not be from his neck of the woods but it doesn't take much to get his story."

"What story?" Leo snapped before he could help himself.

Jed sighed and rolled his eyes skyward. "Gentlemen, we're not going to have a smear campaign, it's beneath us."

"Sir, if you want me to run I need your support for me to be clear and I need your opposition to Tom Landis to also be clear," Laurence said firmly.

Jed wondered in frustration if Laurence Markway was really the best the Democrats could come up with for the senator's post of Virginia. If so, it was no wonder the other senator's seat was currently held by a Republican.

"We win on our merits not their failings," Jed said seriously.

Leo clenched the arms of his chair as the debate between them continued and he wondered if they were going to make it to Cadence's birthday at all.

Tom Landis' tired face stared out quizzically at his late night visitors. "Are you kidding me?" he quipped sardonically.

He stood barefoot in his doorway wearing a loose fitted, plain, white t-shirt and a long pair of black shorts.

Leo frowned and glanced to Jed. "I told you it wasn't worth calling now sir."

"Nonsense Leo it's still Tuesday."

"It's half an hour from Wednesday," Tom pointed out as he folded his arms and leaned up against the door frame. He eyed the pair critically, ignoring the Secret Service agents that framed them in a semi-circle. "No cake either," he chided, "or Mallory. Wow, it's almost like you weren't planning this visit."

Jed frowned too, tiring fast of Tom's sarcasm although he considered reluctantly that it was perhaps deserved. "Can I assume my loyal team are still here?" he queried.

"You mean your cover story? Sure, they're in the living room getting drunk on my whiskey and their attempts to keep this crap going ended an hour and twenty minutes and two shots ago," Tom snapped as he took a sideways stance and continued to give Leo and Jed a critical stare. "It didn't take much probing after one inadvertently said they had to check how things were going with Markway."

Tom shook his head. "I won't say which one, you're all complicit. Round them up and get going, Cady deserves better."

Tom stormed off from the doorway leaving Leo and Jed standing there awkwardly.

"I think they know why we're here," Jed murmured.

"I think so sir. I guess Mallory was right not to come."

After having taken over four hours with Laurence Markway and facing two hours on the road to reach Cadence and Tom, Mallory had refused to come. She was already angry with the duplicity and didn't want her sister thinking her birthday mattered so little. Mallory had opted to be taken to the hotel instead.

"I feel a little like we're in high school getting scolded because our friends have gotten drunk and made a mess in someone's house," Jed mused.

"That's kind of exactly what's happened sir," Leo said numbly.

"Did you notice he never once called me president?"

"I can't blame him this time."

"Who do you think slipped up?"

"Probably Toby."

Leo gazed at Jed in confusion. "Was I meant to bring a cake?"

Jed nodded. "Didn't you agreed if you did there'd be no talk of politics?"

"Oh." Leo's blue eyes widened slightly at this. "I thought he was joking about that."

The pair finally stepped into the house and spied Tom standing to the right by a closed door still looking cross. "I realise you won't know where the living room is because you haven't called here before," he said scathingly.

"Jesus Landis enough," Leo retorted with a slight wince. "This is the President of the United States you're talking to here, show some respect and really, do you think he has time for casual calls to summer homes in Chesapeake?"

Tom folded his arms again and glared back at Leo. "Leo, Cady is your daughter, here for two years for rehabilitation, I think you should have come here before now." He waved at Leo with his right hand before he could protest. "Yeah I know, you've both seen her before now but on your terms where you want because you're so afraid to be seen in the house of a Republican in the run up to election year. Except when it makes a good cover story," he sneered, "better people think you're here than out wooing Democrats for the Senate."

"You should've brought the cake Leo," Jed murmured quietly.

"I should have brought the cake sir."

Leo's expression wavered between anger and annoyance as he tried to maintain eye contact with the angry Republican.

"Where is she?" Leo pried.

"In bed Leo. Once the revelation came out that you were with Markway, Judge Laurence Markway I am assuming, well she didn't want to stay down anymore."

Leo sighed before pointing to Tom angrily. "You know part of this is your fault, you were meant to be out of the politics," he accused. "Now election year is coming and suddenly you're eyeing up the senate!"

Tom's dark eyebrows rose slightly at this and he frowned. "I haven't said I'm running."

"Oh Jesus Tom everyone knows you are!" Leo exclaimed angrily as he gestured outwards with both hands.

"I didn't know."

Leo whirled round suddenly at the quiet voice but all he saw were the Secret Service men, silent, stoic and so wonderfully awkward right now as they tried to pretend they weren't able to hear the outburst. Leo gestured at them angrily to move.

The suits sidestepped to reveal Cadence McGarry wearing a pair of raccoon headed slippers and an over-sized navy t-shirt with 'I'm the elephant in the room' on it in red font and a cartoon elephant's face winking below the font.

Leo's jaw dropped and his face blanched at the sight of the t-shirt. "Have you gone native?" he gaped at his daughter in horror.

Cadence ignored him to look at Tom accusingly. "Tom is it true, are you running for Senate?" she demanded.

Tom sighed as his blue gaze shifted sideways, staring at nothing. His brow wrinkled up and two prominent creases appeared down his cheeks as a frown plucked at his mouth.

Jed stared over at the man, feeling guilty for his intrusion. He could see as Josh had that Tom had aged noticeably in the two years and he wondered how difficult it had been out here trying to coax Cadence through traumas no one knew the full depths of. He realised that the man was almost forty and this was his last real shot at politics, chances were if Tom had a really choice he'd have put it off for another year or two but he didn't have the choice so here he was caught between a dream chance at the Senate and continuing with his girlfriend's rehabilitation.

The living room door was yanked open suddenly.

"Josh you've made a right mess, I'll get the mop!" C.J shouted as she leaned out but faced back to the living room and its rowdy occupants. "Toby you owe me ten bucks! Sam don't you be sick too, hold it in until I get a bucket!"

C.J turned to race out of the room, freezing up as she saw who was staring back at her. Too stunned to be embarrassed, she offered up an awkward smile instead. "Evening sir, you made it. Er, it's still evening right?"

"Nope," Tom retorted sardonically as he glanced at his watch, "it's morning and they didn't make it."

"Are you having a frat party?" Leo marvelled. "What the hell is going on here?"

"Sir, I'll explain," C.J retorted excitedly as she held both palms up to him. "Well no," she gestured her palms out as she glanced back to the ajar door, "Toby can, yeah make him do it." C.J turned her attention to Tom. "Tom where's the mop?"

"Kitchen," Tom muttered. He stared into the living room and said aloud, "I should take pictures, that's what a good Republican would do."

Tom hurried into the room as he saw Josh leaning on the dining table and dry heaving. "Josh not on the table."

Tom grasped the man, recoiling slightly as Josh turned to him with a smile and he caught a whiff of vomit.

"Tom where did that whiskey come from?" Josh marvelled.

"No more whiskey," Sam lamented from his position in the couch where he had sagged and was trying not to throw up.

Tom looked from one to the other critically before urging Josh out of the room in a gentle frogmarch. "Fresh air for you," he murmured.

"Tom don't tell anyone but I might be a little drunk," Josh mused happily.

Tom headed for the bay doors at the back, leading Josh out to the wooden balcony there.

Back in the main foyer Cadence decided to give up on an explanation for the evening. Hearing her boyfriend chiding Josh followed by the sound of the bay doors opening let her know that he had taken the coward's route and was using Josh as a means of evading talking to her about the senator's post.

"I'm going to go back to bed and when I wake up this won't have happened," she announced.

"I wish it worked like that," Jed said gently.

Cadence ignored him as she retreated to the stairs.

Leo gestured to Jed and glared round the room at everyone and no one in particular. "Does anyone realise this is the President of the United States here?" he queried sardonically.

"Are you okay Leo?" C.J queried as she returned with a mop in hand but no bucket. "You aren't going senile? Of course that's the president!"

Leo rolled his eyes at her.

"Sir, let's just go," Leo said as he lowered his hand.

"What about our rabble in there?" Jed pried.

"They'll keep to morning," Leo muttered.

"That doesn't seem fair Leo."

Leo looked up to Jed in annoyance. "Landis gave them the whiskey so let him deal with the consequences of that. Let him deal with all the consequences," he added moodily.

"Leo," Jed addressed him quietly with a sympathetic stare, "I'm not happy about him running either but you can't blame him. If he was a Democrat he'd have our full support."

"But he's not a Democrat sir and we aren't on stable ground with this election so we don't need Republicans like him running, not this year. Next year when we're secure in power sure, let him take a shot then."

"Leo, the senator post isn't up next year, it's up now."

Leo sighed. "Well we need it to be Democrat, Virginia already has one Republican, we can't lose this state, not with an election looming."

"I know and I agree. It's a real pity he's not a Democrat, he has his moments."

"It's a real pity he's not someone else's boyfriend," Leo grumbled childishly. He winched hearing someone retching in the living room.

"Go to the bathroom Sam before that comes up!" C.J scorned.

"We're going to have a lot of amends to make tomorrow," Jed murmured.

"A few sir but at least it's not Cadence's actual birthday we ruined."

Jed looked surprised at this. "It's not?"

"No sir, that's in two days. Oh wait, it's tomorrow actually, Thursday."

"Well we were close enough."

Hearing C.J and Toby starting to sing American Pie, Jed gestured for a retreat to Leo and the two men headed for the door.

"Abbey will never forgive me if we don't make amends to Cadence, what kind of cake do you think we'll have to get to cover this mess?" Jed quipped cheerfully.

"To cover betrayal, lies, and leaving people drunk and throwing up in her partner's summer house? Oh I don't know." Leo smiled up at Jed with bitterness in his stare. "One with chocolate frosting maybe."

Jed gave a light chuckle. "Don't worry Leo, it'll look better in the morning, things always do. We'll just have to come clean and make sure that Cadence knows it was more of a two birds, one stone thing, and that we both very much value her."

"I still blame Landis for part of this."

"Leo you'd blame him for earthquakes in California at this point."

It was only in the early dawning hours just before darkness gave way to light that Josh began to feel any semblance of relief. He became dumbly aware that he was outside, chilled by the early morning air despite the blanket bundled loosely over him and yet eager for it all the same. It was dark out here and the soft sounds of foxes scurrying unseen through the trees and the chirping of night time scavengers was oddly soothing as was the damp compress at his brow and the warm lap he was resting in.

Josh tensed just a little as he wondered about the lap. His head was groggy and he was confused, still sullied with liquor and unsure if he had slept or not. There was a dull recollection of him bragging about his drinking abilities and C.J and Toby making a wager as Sam had boasted of college days mastering shots as best as any other young man. Josh let out a weak moan of pain as his brow tensed with the memory and he knew it had all gone downhill from there.

"You aren't going to be sick again, are you?"

The voice that addressed Josh was fatigued and slightly irate but there was a trace of amusement to it as well and familiarity.

Josh's brown eyes rolled up but it was difficult to see in the dark and had a nauseating effect on him. He became aware that he was stretched out on a wooden surface, head back in a lap he'd taken for a pillow, bare, hairy legs stretched out on other side of him as the owner of the lap had given in reluctantly to the drunken intrusion of a man so inebriated he couldn't tell a feather stuffed inanimate object from the appendage of a man.

Tom was seated upright, back propped against the wall of the house, legs stretched out on the wooden balcony before him, grateful for the peace as he knew a storm was going to follow. He had a fresh glass of whiskey and ice to his left, a small comfort as he stared out at the darkness calmly, dreading the confrontation Cadence would bring him in a matter of hours.

Tom had spent the past four hours with Josh, not completely as there had been moments of fetching him water, a damp cloth, a bucket to vomit in, then more water, the blanket, more water, and checking to be sure that the other three were passed out and not in any other concerning state.

"Did you get me a blanket?" Josh quipped in a mumble.

"Yes but I don't know why, part of me thinks letting you freeze to death would be apt."

"You're so nice getting me a blanket Tom. You've always been nice."

"I know," Tom agreed grimly as he sipped at the whiskey. "It will be my undoing."

"No, no see it's why I like you."

"If you liked me you'd have told me sooner about Markway," Tom retorted calmly.

"Aww Tom, now I couldn't."

"Right Josh."

"No really," Josh babbled. "I like you, that's my undoing."

Tom took another sip. "What, liking me?" he quipped sarcastically.

"Yep."

"Is it that bad to like a Republican?"

"No, it's a you thing, a Tom thing."

Tom sighed and shook his head. "Josh go back to sleep, I think I prefer being stuck with my thoughts about how Cady is going to yell at me."

"Hmm yeah she'll do that. Poor Tom."

Tom snickered at this. "Poor Tom indeed. Josh, one more thing."

"Uh huh."

"Could you shift slightly, I'm starting to lose feeling."

"Where?"

Tom took a deep gulp from the glass this time before he reached out with one hand and shifted Josh's head slightly.

"Problem solved."

"Heh if only they were all so easy," Josh joked. He laughed and winced at the gesture sent a fresh roll of nausea through him.