AN: I may do another 8 chapters for this one, but with flip-flopped pairings (i.e. Daisy and Elizabeth, Nadine and Jay, etc.) And since these 8 chapters were set toward the beginning of the show, the next 8 would be set toward the end. Would anyone be interested?
Chapter 8
All
On a Friday night in November, the senior staff sat around the table in the conference room, some working on a solution to save the peace talks between India and Pakistan. Seated in their usual spots toward the middle of the table, Nadine and Elizabeth went back and forth, debating the best approach to negotiating a ceasefire. They both spit off facts, gesturing with their hands.
"Will this ever end?" someone muttered under their breath.
Given the hour, it was clear that some individuals (cough cough Matt) were more antsy than others to ditch the seventh floor of the State Department for a bar in Dupont Circle. While he twiddled a pencil between his fingers, staring off into space, Daisy mindlessly scrolled through Instagram on her tablet, stalking Win's profile in the chair next to him. At least Jay, who was reclined in his chair with his eyes closed, could pretend to be thinking of a resolution. In reality, he was worrying about his wife. Even Blake had his feet propped up on the edge of the table. Only Maggie, attentive as ever, sat upright, awaiting an order from one of their bosses.
"I think we'll call it a night," Elizabeth said.
When she closed her notebook, everyone on the team perked up.
Dropping the pencil in his hand, Matt asked, "We can go?" He didn't seem to believe it. In his defense, they'd been pulling late-nighters all week.
"Please do." Before she stood, Elizabeth grabbed her things from the table. "Nadine and I are fully capable of finishing up."
Jumping to his feet, Matt pumped his fist in the air. "Anyone up for a round or five of drinks at Board Room?"
"Ma'am," Blake began. Clearly, he wasn't fond of the idea of leaving while they were here working. In the past, he'd been a partier (who hadn't at one point or the other?), but, ever since Elizabeth McCord had called, asking for a favor, he'd been fully devoted to this job. "With all due respect—"
Elizabeth held up a hand, cutting him off. "We'll be fine." With her notebook tucked underneath her arm, she headed for the door. When she passed him, she patted his shoulder. "Please, try to relax a bit, okay?"
"Let me at least order you both dinner before we go," he offered.
Across the room, Nadine called out to Matt, beckoning him over. "Don't overdo it," she told him. "We're scheduled to take off at seven tomorrow morning." For a moment, she considered announcing their departure time to the entire team, but she refrained. "I'm serious, Matt. Don't give her a reason to bench you."
"I thought I was officially in M-sec's good graces since our win in Africa?"
Leading him toward the door, Nadine reminded him that they needed to keep winning. As a woman, the Secretary couldn't afford not to win. Ultimately, neither could the United States.
"Daisy, do you need a heavier coat?" Elizabeth asked. "I have spares in my closet."
"I'll be fine, Ma'am," Daisy muttered as she gathered her belongings.
With a frown, Elizabeth turned to Nadine's assistant. "Maggie?"
"I have one at my desk," she answered. Like the pair of black kitten heels, the peacoat she'd worn today had been a past Christmas gift from her father. "But thank you." As always, the young woman accompanied her reply with a wide smile.
"Okay."
As the team dispersed out into the hall, Nadine and Elizabeth stood side by side in the doorway.
"Behave yourselves, Nadine warned at the same time that Elizabeth blurted out, "Have fun!"
Tilting their heads, they looked at one another, each raising a brow.
Before they could make it past Blake's desk, the staff turned back. Some playfully rolled their eyes, while others shared a knowing smile.
"Stop mothering us," Jay finally called out.
"We're not mothering," Nadine and Elizabeth said at the same time.
Again, they met each other's eyes., questioning.
Leaning in, Elizabeth dropped her voice. "Are we mothering?" she asked Nadine.
"Yes!" the staff said together.