Tex got up early and left. He said goodbye to Rachel and hopped on the train, thinking it was going to be a normal day. It probably would have been if his girlfriend hadn't been President's daughter and the face of a national Charity campaign for the season, but that would come later. On the train, it was still just a normal day.

Just like it was in the White House with Rachel, who woke up to some extra baked goods from Christmas to nibble on in the morning. She was blissfully unaware of what would happen later in the day too, because nothing had happened yet. So there were no issues to explain away or even just explain.

When Tex got into the city, he met Danny and Wolf and warmed up his hands. "Rachel not coming with?" Wolf asked.

Tex shook his head. "She wants to spend more time with her family, can't exactly blame her. They're great," He said with a grin. He never really knew what it was like to want to spend time with your family, but Rachel loved Mrs. Scott and the President was her dad, she was doing national campaigns to try and protect his image, so it seemed like she liked him, but maybe less than Mrs. Scott. Kids had the right to a favorite parent. It didn't go both ways though.

"So already met the parents, huh?" Danny asked. "Didn't figure you guys for that type of relationship."

Tex messed with his own hair for a minute and stopped in the street. "Look guys, I have to tell you something," He said. Danny and Wolf looked concerned. "Rachel and I are dating. We're trying to keep it lowkey for now. But yes, we're dating. Yes, I've met her parents. No, they don't know we're dating yet."

Wolf clapped his buddy on the back and gave him a big hug. "When you said you had to tell us something, I assumed it was worse. Congratulations, bud." He said as he continued walking, backwards mind you.

Danny walked beside Tex and looked at the city. They never really got to have this kind of experience. The city experience. The college experience was like it in a lot of ways, but it was different. Even when college was in a city. This was an entirely different city atmosphere.

"So why you guys keeping it lowkey? Is there something special about Rachel you should tell us?" Danny asked pointedly.

Fuck, he knew that they were going to come to this. It was a little bit of an issue. He'd lied to Danny when he told him that Rachel was no one and that she just had one of those faces. Because it wasn't his secret to tell. It wasn't even his secret to tell now, but it was obvious that there was something larger at play.

Danny was going to be like a dog with a bone about this if he didn't come out and say it. He wished that Rachel would be okay with it, because there wasn't really a better choice in the matter at hand. "Rachel is…Rachel's last name is Scott. She's Rachel Scott."

"Wait a second," Danny stopped in his tracks, "Do you mean…?"

Tex nodded. "Yes, she's the first daughter. But she's cooler than just that, I swear to you. I promise, she's cooler than just being the daughter of a president."

Wolf stopped too and Danny and Wolf both looked at him. "You mean to say, we go to school with Rachel Scott? How are there not cameras everywhere? And why didn't you tell me last time?"

"Yes, we all go to school with the First daughter of the country. The reason there aren't cameras everywhere is because she's never gone on record about where she's going to school. And the reason I didn't tell you last time was because it wasn't really mine to tell. Still, not mine to tell, but she's doing more stuff, making a bigger name for herself now, so it's only a matter of time before you figured it out on your own," Tex said as they found a good place to watch the ball drop. It wasn't as cold as he expected. But he could certainly feel the ice coming from Danny.

Wolf on the other hand seemed right as rain with the explanation. "Well, thanks for telling us, mate. Can't wait to see that ball drop!" He said as he looked up at the sparkling ball. There was good music at least and they had a chance to do it right.

Still, Danny didn't say anything and that sucked. He knew it would hurt Danny that he hadn't told him at the friendsgiving. It wasn't like he meant to hide it because he was being nefarious, but Rachel was her own person who got to tell her own story. She hadn't discussed with him who he could be telling it to, so he kept it practical. He hadn't exactly asked her about this moment either, but he figured forgiveness rather than permission at this point. And it wasn't like Wolf or Danny was going to go out and print stories about them.

For several hours, they managed the stalemate through Wolf who was more than happy for it. But as it got closer to the ball about to drop, he got a text alert on his phone. It was Tom. It was simply a photograph of a headline and picture. The picture was him and Rachel very clearly kissing and having a good time out in the snow.

"What's that about? You're supposed to be here with us!" Wolf cried out as he saw Tex, furrowing his brow and looking at his phone.

Tex waved him off. "Sorry, uh, something important just came up," He said as he looked at the picture again. This time he could see more of what the headline said. Secret Service Romance? First Daughter Rachel Scott Caught with Security Detail Tex Nolan, Apparently Having a Romantic Evening.

Danny looked over and saw the picture and looked at Tex's face, which was gobsmacked. He knew Danny was not over the way that Tex had lied to his face, but he softened a bit and got Wolf to lay off.

"Maybe it'll blow over," Danny said

Tex shook his head. "It was my boss who sent this to me."

"So it looks like you guys are going mainstream now." Danny said, a little shot in the gut. He was right though. It wasn't like they could deny it with this out there. Danny put a hand on his pal's back and looked up. "Look, the ball's about to drop. And then we'll take you to DC."

5.

4.

3…2…1.

"Happy New Year," He grumbled, really just wanting to be back with Rachel and figuring all of this out. Everyone else was happy and having a blast. Something that he should have been having. He should have been celebrating with them, but he sighed. Whatever. Getting back to DC to get this over with was important. Rachel shouldn't have to bear that burden alone.