Leo McGarry longed for the little girl who had once pointed to an extravagant fountain in D.C and asked innocently if it was a special shower for the ducks. Hell he longed for the young woman of just two years ago who had skipped up to the White House and marvelled mockingly over its whiteness. Now she was twenty-five years old, it seemed so old and yet so young at the same time to the Chief of Staff. For such a short lived life she had already seen so much, too much he thought darkly, and in many ways it had aged her and yet she was still his little girl and try as he might he couldn't see her any other way.

Leo didn't want Cadence in this bloody political battle for the White House because he knew how dirty it was going to get, it had to. The stakes were high, the competition deadly and with the president's scandal of M.S. still so fresh in the public's mind, Leo knew it was going to be even tougher than the first time round when Jed had entered as an outsider. Hell, he hadn't even gotten the majority of the vote that time and Leo didn't want to repeat that feat twice, this time they had to get in with the majority of the public behind them. Jed at least could do something few other politicians could and show sincerity in his apologies to his people, he really was one of them in his imperfectness. Hoynes would show his Texan charm with his supporting show of humility but it would be hollow.

As if the M.S wasn't enough, now they had dark horse Tom Landis to contend with. That was grief Leo did not need, and it was all public now. Landis was officially going up against Judge Laurence Markway for the seat of Virginia. The Republicans, who had so often detested the liberal loving member of their party, how now decided to back him. Sure Tom had always had friends in high places within the party, including fascist Jeff Haffley but only now was there a show of support for him. It put Cadence back out there in the public eye as Tom's supportive girlfriend. She looked uneasy in front of the cameras and Leo hated it and he hated Tom just a little for subjecting her to it.

Leo shook off his negativity. He had a reprieve, Cadence was coming here to the White House at the President's request. Jed had commented that she had once served him well in the matter of himself, the VP and a Republican in Texas and he believed she could offer some fresh insight for P.R purposes surrounding another proposed trip to Texas for votes. It was crap and they all knew it, private crap, as the cover story was that Cadence was coming to see her sister and calling on her father at work while she was in the area. The heart of the matter was that Leo had voiced concerns to Jed about Cadence getting caught up in the Republican cesspit of press and the president had endeavoured to pluck her out of it. When Cadence had refused the initial invite, the president had played a dirty trick by having Zoey contact her to ask her to visit. Cadence couldn't refuse that request and so she had come.

It had been two months since Leo had last seen his youngest, two slogging months of campaigning, canvassing and running the free world when they could manage it. Heaven forbid wars would halt for elections. Worse, he'd also had death threats to the press secretary C.J to deal with all because she voiced her opinion on women's rights in reference to Saudi Arabia, then there were White House reporters getting kidnapped abroad, a misguided but meaningful gift from Charlie potentially causing political upset, Toby clashing with his ex-wife over speeches, and Sam undoing C.J's hard work for women by getting accusations of sexism from ex-fiancées and interns.

Leo glanced at his watch and wondered if Cadence had arrived yet. He wanted to see her, to greet her at the steps and see if she would make another sarcastic comment amount the white walls of the grand building. He wanted her cheerful jests because at least it was a sign of happiness in her and meaningless, light-hearted remarks about walls meant her mind was free. He feared the weight that lingered in her eyes, the heavy burden of suffering, the kind he still knew so little about from her, a pain Landis had failed to banish in her. It was yet another reason to despise the Republican but Leo knew it was unfair, Tom had sacrificed his career for her, temporarily sure but even Leo had to accept that Tom couldn't have known that at the time.

Not too far from Leo, Cadence McGarry had returned to an old haunt, the bullring of the White House it was where all the work really happened- the West Wing. She had come up through its corridors entering through a staff entrance in an attempt to be incognito. Of course she couldn't be entirely subtle about her entrance given the nature of the building and the high security it had. Seeing a familiar face on duty had led to her having her own personal escort down the corridors, which only drew more attention her way.

"You know Casper," she addressed the Secret Service agent brightly, "this is becoming a habit of yours."

Agent Mike Casper gave the woman a small smile. He knew that she knew his presence here was no coincidence, of course Leo had to have eyes on his daughter and Leo knew if it was a familiar, friendly face to her then she might be less resistant about it.

"I missed you too raccoon," Mike retorted cheerfully in a reference to her Secret Service codename.

Cadence allowed a smile to slip out at this. "You'd be the only one in this building," she teased.

She glanced about the office doors with a sense of nostalgia thinking of the fun she had had when coming here as a worker. Sure there had been drama, many headaches and much grief but it had been a job she had loved and been devoted to. She'd have loved the thrill of fun she had gotten from being a member of the Vice President's party invading the territory of the President's people.

She paused when she saw Sam walking up the hall with an unfamiliar blonde. The woman was tall, noticeably beautiful and walked with a giddiness that most people lost when they lingered too long in this building.

Sam's blue gaze filled with surprise as he suddenly halted and flustered momentarily with his glasses.

"Cady!" he greeted a little more loudly than intended.

Cadence folded her arms and smiled back. "Sam."

"I didn't know you were er...visiting," he finished awkwardly.

Sam took in Cadence's appearance quickly, her suit was simple- grey skirt and jacket with a cream shirt, black pumps and sheer pantyhose, nothing to indicate her purpose here. The only hint of personality was the raccoon patterned satchel she had slung over her right shoulder and the sparkling star shaped, diamond necklace that had been a permanent fixture since her birthday. Sam had seen that necklace winking from many from a television screen as Cadence had stood on a press podium by Tom's side trying hard to be the supportive girlfriend.

The blonde glanced from Sam to Cadence with curiosity as a small smile budded on her pink glossed lips.

"I didn't know people needed to know," Cadence retorted.

Sam gave an awkward laugh at this. "What I meant to say is...er...Mallory didn't say."

Cadence's smile widened. "She probably enjoyed the thought of your reaction to my arrival," she mocked him. "So, who's your friend?"

Sam's light brown eyebrows rose slightly as he gazed around himself before he suddenly noticed the blonde smiling at him.

"Oh, oh! This is Ainsley Hayes, she's an Associate White House Counsel," Sam explained as he gestured to her with one hand.

"Hayes," Cadence mused thoughtfully. "Hmm..."

"Ainsley, this is Cadence McGarry," Sam introduced although he felt Cadence didn't need introductions these days.

"Wait," Cadence interrupted, "I remember now, you're the Republican who beat Sam up so wonderfully on t.v."
Sam wilted at this reminder. Disgruntled he gave Ainsley the briefest glance of displeasure before glancing past Cadence to Mike. He wondered if Mike's presence was a coincidence.

Cadence stepped forward as her eyes blazed with excitement. "Oh wow, so they've replaced me as the resident demon and with a full-blown Republican too, should I be honoured?"

Ainsley looked a little puzzled as she offered a harmless smile in answer.

Cadence turned her head towards the still flustered Sam. "Where's Josh? Is he here? This I have to tease him about, all those years of calling me a traitor, at least I've stayed Democrat, and here you all are letting a Republican in to work here, how wonderfully hypocritical."

"It was the president's idea," Sam grumbled.

"Now that I could've guessed."

Mike shook his head with a small smile as Cadence veered off quickly, charging up the corridor in the direction of Josh's domain.

"Good to meet you Ainsley," Cadence called with a backwards wave, "better than you even know!"

"You too, I think," Ainsley retorted in a dubious voice as she waved.

"Why are you waving?" Sam quipped as he looked to the blonde. "She's not even looking."

Ainsley smiled and shrugged. "It's polite."

"She called you a demon."

"I thought she was calling herself one."

Sam's mouth fixed to a line as he pushed his glasses up his nose. "A little of both I suppose," he retorted grudgingly. He looked in the direction Cadence had headed to and wondered how Josh would fare with her arrival.

Cadence halted as she passed C.J's ajar door. Something had caught her attention but she didn't know what. She paused and took a step back, suddenly curious and uneasy even as she scolded herself for nosiness.

There were voices arguing from within- a male and female- the female erratic and almost shouting- the man calm and sardonic.

Cadence stared at the crack in the doorway suddenly needing it to be open so she could see. She was oblivious to Carol's curious stare. C.J's assistant, recognising Cadence, made no effort to query her figuring that maybe she could at least get the bickering to stop.

Mike watched Cadence with a sudden concern, she was a little too still, her body rigid as if she was fearful of movement. His gaze looked to the doorway, his mouth twitching as he almost smiled at the voices exchanging barbs within. He recognised them.

Cadence sucked in a breath, she could just walk away and never know, dismiss it as a possibility never confirmed or she could open the door and have her confirmation. She risked only mild humiliation for her intrusion and what was that compared to the many sufferings she had endured in Colombia?

Cadence pushed at the door.

C.J Cregg looked over in annoyance as she felt the draft against her face indicating the intrusion to her office before her face shifted into surprise.

"Cady," she greeted, immediately wary of the odd stare Cadence was giving back.

Cadence wasn't looking at the press secretary, instead her gaze was on the man C.J had been arguing quite passionately with. He was swarthy skinned and silver haired, neat and sharp in the recognisable suit of a bodyguard. The hint of a fading boyish charm in his bright blue eyes was banished as he took in Cadence and a calm ice dominated his expression.

"I thought I recognised your voice," Cadence said quietly.

The man gave her a brisk, dismissing nod.

"Well I thought you were in Virginia looking pretty for Republicans," he retorted bluntly.

C.J's head turned sharply to the man as she contemplated a reprimand. To C.J his orders were firm but there was always a suggestion of warmth to his voice but this biting comment for Cadence came with a sting and C.J knew he meant it as an insult not a jest.

"Not this weekend," Cadence retorted lightly.

The young woman glanced to C.J at last but she barely took the older woman in.

C.J wanted to say something to her, her grey-blue gaze was edged with shock and the blood had drained from her skin turning her a sickly pale and despite not understanding why this was, C.J felt an urge to console her. She took a step forward and offered a consoling smile. Cadence was a decidedly complicated character to C.J, a distraction Leo could do without yet she knew it wasn't fair to think that and forget how Cadence had willingly put herself into danger for Zoey. C.J had always wondered about that too, the woman was infamously suicidal after all, had there been a dark desire for death that night when Cadence had submitted herself to violent kidnappers in Zoey's place? C.J had never voiced her grim thoughts but she wondered anyway. Limbo was the best word for Cadence McGarry, rolling between the living and the dead, the Democrats and the Republicans, the world of politics and the world without it, she was never quite one way or another, just a murky mess of both but Cadence was clumsy and despite her best efforts she couldn't balance between the worlds.

"Cady are you alright?" C.J pried.

"I'm fine," Cadence babbled as she took a step back. She shook her head. "Um I was looking for Josh, no," she shook her head again, "dad I suppose." She pushed back the ends of her hair and turned away briskly, almost bumping into Agent Casper. "Um, let's find dad," she mumbled.

C.J watched her go before glancing to her companion. She was ready to ask what that had been about but then her gaze narrowed as she took him in.

"Simon Donovan," she murmured his name quietly, "I just dismissed it as a name but you're connected aren't you? You and Robbie Donovan."

The silver haired man gave a blunt nod. "He was my nephew."

C.J considered what little the man had revealed to her about himself. He was Secret Service, they characteristically didn't share, but she was trusting her life to him so she was persistent for information.

"Where are you from again?" she pried.

He cocked his head at her, exposing his frown to her as he folded his arms.

"Stop fishing," he scolded her. "Yes, I'm that uncle," he spat it out angrily. "From Chicago, the one Robbie stayed with when he saw her, when he was murdered."

"And you blame her?" C.J queried in surprise.

"For his murder? No, I couldn't do that. For everything else, yes. Right now, that's not for discussion. Your rota is," he reminded her firmly.

C.J knew from the anger in his eyes that she wasn't getting more information on the matter. She frowned back, ready to resume the argument over her schedule. She thought fleetingly that poor Cadence really couldn't avoid drama despite her best efforts. C.J wondered about the young woman's presence here, Leo had mentioned something about a visit, commenting sternly that it was to be low key and giving C.J a warning stare that she knew meant it would be 'no comment' for any curious press. That was all C.J knew about it but she speculated as everyone else did, John Hoynes' popularity was waning, his home state was a little too red for the Democrats' liking and if he couldn't win at least some of it back for them he wasn't going to do much to bolster Jed's presidential run.

Leo looked up from his desk at the quiet knock on his door.

"Come in," he called.

The door opened and in she stepped, the wayward daughter he had been so eager to see. He was glad to see Mike at her back although he was careful to avoid openly acknowledging him lest Cadence grow suspicious and accuse Leo of having him watched.

Leo released his pen and stood up with a wide smile. "Cady," he greeted cheerfully, "welcome."

"Hey dad."

Cadence glanced about the office. "Wow, you haven't even changed the paperweights," she chided. "You'd think the Chief of Staff could at least get some new wallpaper."

"Yes," he retorted sardonically, "because as Chief as Staff I most definitely have time to pick wallpaper."

Leo stepped round from his desk and up to his daughter.

"I met my replacement," she said jovially, "I'm a little upset you guys went for a blonde, that's a bit of a cliché."

Leo stared back at her confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Your new demon, Ainsley, instead of the disloyal Democrat dating a Republican now you've gone for an out and out Republican." She cocked her head slightly and gave him a stare full of scorn. "A little hypocritical don't you think dad? Tom's going to think it's just him you dislike and not Republicans."

"Well it is a little," Leo admitted calmly as he reached for her right shoulder and ushered her out of the room gently. "He is almost old enough to be your dad."

"Ew dad, that's wrong and unfair, he's nowhere near your age."

"He's closer to my age than yours!" Leo snapped.

Cadence sighed and placed a hand to her brow as she shook her head. She lowered her hand and glowered back at him.

"Just a second, I'm the one reprimanding you," she exclaimed. "You've hired a Republican, explain!"

Cadence folded her arms, offering up a stubborn stance Leo was all too used to from her.

"It's one of the president's ideas or experiments, you know what he can be like," Leo dismissed. "Anyway, she's not your replacement, you worked for the Vice President and he hasn't replaced you, despite insistence," he added as he raised his silver eyebrows slightly.

Cadence's arms slackened by her sides as she turned away from her father. "I hope that's not why I'm here," she muttered.

"Well I don't know," Leo admitted, "the president wants you. Let's go see him."

Cadence swallowed down an accusation that her father was lying, knowing she would get the truth soon.

Cadence and Leo headed side by side to the Oval Office with Mike at their back.

Cadence paused to glance over to the secretary's desk and his grey-blue gaze filled with woe. The seemingly permanent fixture of Mrs. Landingham was gone, her cookie jar swapped for houseplants and her familiar, blonde bobbed and spectacled figure replaced with a ivory skinned brunette Cadence had no knowledge of.

Cadence had skipped the funeral of the Executive Secretary Mrs. Landingham, she couldn't face D.C then not even for condolences. The sympathy card with her name on it had been written and sent by Tom while she had suffered a dark day babbling about death. Cadence had pushed the death from her mind but now here she was confronted with the hard truth that Mrs. Landingham was only a memory now.

"Hi," Mrs. Landingham's replacement greeted politely as she looked up at them.

Her stare was calm, telling Cadence that Cadence was no stranger to her.

"Good afternoon Ms. Fiderer," Leo greeted politely. "Cady, this is Deborah Fiderer, Ms. Fiderer, this is my daughter, Cadence McGarry."

"Cady."

"Debbie."

The pair spoke almost in sync prompting a small grin from Mike. Suddenly the ice was broken and the tension in Cadence's shoulders slipped away.

Debbie smile and nodded. "He's free," she advised.

"Thanks."

Leo stepped up to the familiar, formidable doors and opened the up to the hub of the U.S.A government.

Cadence looked after him warily, reluctant to follow and yet feeling it was better to get it over and done with. She glanced back to Mike letting him glimpse the nerves in her eyes.

"It's intimidating every time," he said quietly, "but it's only for a few seconds. I always find looking at the eagle fills me awe, I mean you're standing in the Oval Office, that's an honour."

Cadence offered him a thin but grateful smile. "I always feel bad if I'm standing it on its head, do you think carpet eagles have feelings?" she queried.

Mike snickered. "I think if they do they probably like being stood on because that's what carpets are for."

"Hmm, what do you think they make of vacuum cleaners? Would that be like a massage?"

Mike shook his head helplessly even as he continued to smile at her weird quips.

"Cady this man is in charge of the largest free nation in the world, he doesn't have all day!" Leo called back impatiently.

"Now Leo, let's not scare her off when she's only got here. You see this is why Abbey gets mad, she sees how you get on with your daughters and just assumes I'm the same," Jed's voice scolded back.

Cadence kept her smile and she stepped through to the office.

"Hi Mr President," she greeted softly.

She stared over to Jed, a formidable figure behind the desk of the Oval Office.

"Cady, good to see you," he greeted cheerfully.

Jed stood up, coming from the desk so there was no barrier between them and yet considering the office he stood in there still remained the barrier of rank.

"I hope you're well," he said warmly. "Safe travels? The apartment still the way you left it?"

Cadence nodded along in response. She was back in Tom's D.C apartment although she had stayed in it only once, the night she had returned to D.C, arriving with Tom who wasn't having her flying without him. When he had returned to Virginia for rallies, she had effectively moved in with her sister Mallory.

"Tom still campaigning against us?" Jed quipped lightly. Seeing her look of ire he waved his hands and said, "I'm kidding. Well I'm not because he is doing that but how is he otherwise?"

"Good sir."

Jed gave the frowning Leo a taunting smile. "You see Leo," he said as he gestured to the man, "it's not that hard to ask after the man, which I'm sure you didn't," he turned his gesture to a scold with a wag of his finger.

"I just try to pretend he doesn't exist sir," Leo confessed.

"Uh huh."

Jed turned his attention back to Cadence. "So Cady, let's get down to it. Texas has reared its stupid hat wearing head again, there is a real stubborn streak for Republicanism there and we really need some votes." He raised his palms to her. "Now I'm not expecting miracles, John fumbled that ball too many times but if we could get some congressmen in the House at least from there it'd be a start."

"Sir?"

"Cady, John might have charm and good speeches when he feels like it but it's not enough, he lacks good publicity, especially in his own damn state and this is election season, this is the big one Cady. We need you, he needs you, badly, he's slipping in the polls worse than I am."

Cadence frowned and folded her arms. "Sir, what do you want me to do? I support Tom and you know he's running for senate."

"Yes Cady, hard to forget despite Leo's best efforts. Look, you support Tom for love but you're still voting Democrat. I'm not asking you to court the public, that's John's job, I'm asking you to work your magic behind the scenes. It's dire enough that Toby and Sam think I should go too."

"To Texas?"

Jed nodded sombrely. "We'll go, John and I, for a campaign trail, three days tops and then we're done."

"Three days," Cadence echoed uneasily.

"Cady you've been in front of the cameras too often, you need the break and John has always voiced his admiration for your work, it's one of the very few things we agree on." Jed's stare turned serious. "Cady, you're only that good if you enjoy the job and if you enjoyed the job then you miss it."

Cadence's frown deepened. "I do," she confessed "but Tom sacrificed two years for me."

"No one made him," Leo grunted, "you don't owe him."

Jed glanced his direction disapprovingly before facing Cadence again, understanding twinkling in his stare. "Cady, this isn't a tactic, you have my word that this isn't going to damage Tom or cause him any kind of embarrassment or awkwardness. We'll do as Leo suggests and pretend he doesn't exist."

Jed held up a hand once more to halt Cadence's protest.

"As a candidate I mean and in the best way. Cady, he's a good man, I'll admit that here, quietly and privately, and I appreciate the situation you are in. I'm asking for three days in Texas, you can call it a break, bonding with your father, whatever you'd like. Just try and steer John away from political screw ups and if you can get him to garner some support then that will do."

Cadence sighed. She could feel the excitement budding in her at the thought of a campaign trail, it was the dream, the greatest test of one's skills in the political world was running and winning a presidential campaign. Of course she wanted to do it, how could she not? She had missed that world but she feared it too considering all the damage it had caused her.

"Alright, three days," she said seriously.