Timing was key. It was a simple phrase but it made a lot of sense. In the world of politics timing could make the difference between a great career and a doomed one. Timing could create suspicion, scepticism, accusations and intrigue. One could use convenient timing to bury a troublesome story in a ream of feel good stories for example or put out the tale of scandal of a rival to detract attention from one's own problems. The problem arose if one's own scandal was just a little too big to be ignored.

There was also set timing, the one you couldn't change, such as the timing that dictated every three years the weary world felt a slight stirring in America as a whisper of 'election' began to pick up. Sometimes, if one anticipated landslide victories, then the murmur came late and only half-enthused, sometimes if a candidate overestimated themselves it came early as a loud, boisterous war cry that more often than not became hoarse and hollow towards the end of the year slog.

In this case the stirring for the election had come in the wake of an announcement. A confession that there was really no good timing for. The sitting president, Jed Bartlet had announced to the world that he had M.S and worse, it was a fact he had kept it private not just from the public but from most of his close aides and friends as well. Even worse again, his wife Abbey, a licenced doctor, had been treating him, which in private might seem okay but in the public it brought up many questions of professionalism. The icing on the cake of treachery was that Vice President Hoynes had known as well.

Poor Vice President John Hoynes, too crafty for his own good, he had been the one who had dropped the crumbs that led to the confession. He had struck a deal with Jed in the days of his defeat as a candidate for the presidency, an agreement to be Jed's running mate because Jed had M.S so Jed would surely only rule for one term. Jed had vowed it, to John and Abbey, two of his confidants drawn into his web of deceit. Knowing that he had lied to them, had the Republicans cackling quietly and openly wondering if Jed could be honest with anyone and what other secrets he might have.

John had made moves that suggested a planned run for presidency as the three years waned into Jed's fourth and potentially final year in the White House. In fairness to John, Jed had neglected to state he was considering running again because Jed hadn't known for sure. Then had come the announcement in the wake of the M.S confession, Jed was running again. Time still had to tell if if making his declaration to run after humbling himself before the House was going to prove to be 'good timing'.

In a show of bitterness at what Jed had perceived as John's betrayal, Jed had confessed to the world that John had known his secret. If gave John very little time to decide if he was going to run again for the runner up's position of Vice President, a role he loathed.

In the end, John and Jed were bound together again. Untrustworthy apart and forced to try and mend their broken relationship with the public again, they were both certain they weren't getting back into the White House without one another.

Timing, sometimes it could be shit. Although, it was timing that had saved Jed. A convenient call for resus by the Republican Majority Counsellor Cliff Calley, he had halted proceedings against the president just as another alcohol related scandal involving Leo was about to be outed. Cliff was a decent Republican unwilling to use mud slinging scandals to gain points for his party. It had brought the issue of the president's M.S to a better ending than the Democrats had hoped for.

Now they were in mid 2002 hitting late summer and it was game on with the Republicans and everyone knew timing might yet prove to be an asset or a fatal flaw. With Jed Bartlet's scandal out there and Republican candidate Robert Ritchie vastly gaining popularity, there was a strong sense in the air that there was going to be a real fight on hand for the White House.

Knowing all this was why the still bitter Bartlet team were trying to move past their outrage and grief to fight with all they had. As flawed as Jed could be and as personal as their hurt felt, they knew his apology had been sincere and from the heart. He was only human and still, in their eyes the best human to lead the country. It made them determined to give their all to their cause, which meant considering Jed's political allies, although the election for the presidency might be eclipsing it, there were a few seats in Congress up for grabs as well.


In his usual state of excitable animation, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman considered how their current trip might appear on the surface. It was summer time after all, though one wouldn't know it in the fast paced, ever active White House but, for a rare change, the core staff of the White House were away from the D.C domain giving the appearance of being on a quaint trip to the coastal city of Chesapeake, Virginia.

Josh adjusted his dark sunglasses and grinned even as he heard C.J give a slightly wild shriek from behind as the spray of the water bounced through the railings of the boat they were on.

"Why are we on a boat?" C.J complained loudly.

"It's Chesapeake Bay," Toby pointed out with a slight frown. "The clue is in the name."

Toby Ziegler, White House Communications Director, was giving off the appearance of a storm cloud turned human. Dreary was almost a default mode for him but of late his dark pessimism had been switched for heated rage that he was struggling to let go of. Dressed in a charcoal grey suit he sat in the centre of the deck in the shade, head bowed as he scowled at the notes he was trying hard to prevent from blowing in the breeze.

"It looks good," Josh said brightly as he cocked his head back to the press boat lingering behind them. "Good photos, good press, you know that C.J."

"Why yes Josh, three years as press secretary has taught me a few things about good publicity," she retorted sardonically. "However, I'm not sure that team building in Chesapeake is going to appear all that well. One might accuse us of.." She shrugged slightly before almost leaping forward to grasp the steel rails with another shriek as the boat jostled slightly on the water.

"Accuse us of what?" Toby yelled, trying to be audible over the engine.

"What?" C.J repeated as she attempted to push back some of her coppery-brunette locks with one hand. It was in vain as the wind whipped them up again.

The tall woman peered over the rail she clutched to the water below. It gleamed beneath the sunlight, shimmering with beams of white and sparkles of silver tainted with the foam from the movement of the boat. She leaned back to the boat suddenly, considering how easy it might be to tumble over for a soaking.

"What could we be accused of?" Toby demanded.

C.J glanced over her shoulder to Toby. "Slacking!"

Toby's frown deepened. "I'm not slacking," he grumbled as he returned his gaze to his fluttering paperwork, barely held in place by his hands. "I'm against this trip but it's still hard work, no is slacking, no one should be slacking!"

Josh smiled again and shook his head. "Come on, we all know why we're really here."

"To see Cady," Sam commented innocently.

Sam stood to C.J's right observing their aquatic view calmly. He had been morose, a little annoyed to be separated from his girlfriend Mallory, relegated to what Josh had dubbed 'the workers' boat' whilst Mallory travelled in luxury with her father and the president.

Josh let out a laugh at this before he leaned over the railing to glance Sam's way. "Sure Sam, we're all here just to see Cady."

"Well isn't that where we're going right now?" Sam quipped hotly as he gave his co-worker an irate glance.

Josh nodded as his grin widened. "Yes."

"Well then."

Sam folded his arms and immediately regretted the gesture as he almost lost his balance with the next wave of water the boat travelled over. He staggered with a barely held back cry and reached for the railing nervously with both hands.

Josh chuckled before turning his view ahead. He thought privately that it was a beautiful sight, greenery to the right of the boat and an endless stretch of beautiful turquoise and sapphire water to the left. There was a sense that nature dominated here as seagulls dove hungrily at the water and curious otters bobbed their velvety brown heads up to have a wary glance at the passing boats. It put Josh in mind of another person they were going to see today- former Congressman Tom Landis, boyfriend to Cadence 'Cady' McGarry. Tom had always insisted that Chesapeake Bay was incredibly beautiful and worth seeing and Josh had always nodded and said quietly 'sure' in a weak, false promise to visit never thinking he actually would.

Josh felt an unusual wash of complicated nerves as he thought of Tom. He had never really known had to feel about the man. Tom Landis was a Republican, a liberal but very proud of his political allegiances, which really should make him public enemy number one. He was also approaching forty and in a going on two years relationship with the much younger Cadence who was turning twenty-five in just two days. The age gap didn't bother Josh that much but Cadence's father, Josh's boss, Leo McGarry still hadn't come to terms with it and Josh knew if he didn't nod in occasion to Leo's rants about it he would be viewed as disloyal. It was difficult however because Tom was a charming, chirpy man who often found ways to find humour in their political division and he wasn't a congressman anymore, just a Republican citizen so he was far from Public Enemy Number One.

Tom had effectively given up his career for Cadence although at the time many would've argued as a liberal it wasn't much of a sacrifice on his part as he likely would have lost his seat anyway. The problem was that Tom Landis hadn't then become the forgotten footnote of the Republican party that everyone had expected him to.

Tom had taken sanctuary in his home of Chesapeake, bringing Cadence with him so she could recover from a series of traumatic ordeals encountered during her very brief role as the Vice President's Deputy of Public Relations, a role that hadn't seen such drama before or after Cadence. Perhaps the idea had been for Tom and Cadence to slip out of the public and political viewpoint but Tom's affable, charming and charitable nature, often cited as his weakness, had shone a little brighter than anticipated as he had thrown himself into helping his home city and suddenly, two years later, he was beloved by the public of Virginia.

Although Tom had tried to be low-key about the reasons behind his resignation from the House of Representatives it had leaked as the press had learned quickly that he was living with the infamously damaged Cadence McGarry and gathered that the 'something in his personal life' he had given as a reason for quitting had to be her. Unintentional as it was, it had proved something of a master-stroke for Tom as he was praised by the public for choosing his girlfriend's well-being over his own political ambitions.

Josh released the rail and headed over to Toby. He dipped his shades slightly as he leaned against the post Toby's bench was attached to. "How long do you think he'll have with Markway before it's noticeable?" Josh quipped quietly.

"Noticeable to who?" Toby retorted dryly as he continued to study his paperwork, frowning every time a spray of water sprinkled it anew.

"Cady and Tom," Josh admitted. "If they think they're just a cover-"

"Josh," Toby interrupted sharply as he glanced up to his colleague with an irate blue stare, "if it gets out that the president is meeting with Markway personally there will be a cry of favouritism and ill-feeling amongst the Democrats, which we most definitely cannot afford. We know what Landis is probably up to, which gives us no choice but to act fast with Markway."

Josh sighed. "It's not right to use them Toby and Markway is an inept fence sitter."

"He's the best we have for this state," Toby muttered. "Josh you know the game, you start getting personal and you won't be cut out for another season."

Josh frowned and pushed his dark shades up his nose with one finger. "Toby until Tom is back in the game he shouldn't be used and being in the political world is what caught trouble for Cady, finding out she's been exploited like this for politics might...well it might set her off again," he concluded grimly as his voice dropped an octave.

Toby looked back up in surprise. His mouth wavered slightly, the left corner tipping up slightly before he forced back the smile trying to escape.

"Josh, you used to hate this girl, what happened?"

"I never hated her Toby," Josh protested moodily. "I just didn't like the trouble she brought for Leo, intentional or not but I think we can both agree she has definitely suffered enough."

Toby shook his head. "Josh, she's not made of glass and if you stop talking about it and follow the plan she will never know," he added gruffly, letting his irritation fill his voice.

Toby cursed as another spray of water soaked him. "Damn it when will this boat ride end?"

"It's like A Small World Toby," Josh jested as he stepped away his angry co-worker, "it doesn't end."


Cadence McGarry let out a soft sigh as she descended the last step of the staircase. She held out her arms before her and studied the pale pink lines marring them with a critical gaze. At the sound of footsteps she glanced up quickly. Seeing her boyfriend Tom Landis step out of the living room, only eased the wariness in her gaze slightly but the tension in her stance remained.

Tom's almost clear, blue gaze filled with surprise before he gave a grin that sloped upwards on the right side of his face.

"You look beautiful Cady cat," he praised as he stepped up to her.

Tom grasped her hands in his own as his gaze locked with her uncertain blue-grey gaze. "Every inch of you Cady," he said softly.

Cadence gave a weak smile at this. "I feel a little cold, maybe I should grab a shawl."

"Cady it's warm." Tom leaned down to her and gave her a gentle kiss. "Give it a chance please," he pleaded as he leaned forward to her right ear, "you look lovely in this dress."

Cadence nodded but her uneasiness remained in her stare.

Tom pulled back and flashed her another smile. "Would I lie to you?"

Cadence smiled back at him. "Only about Chessie, still haven't seen him yet."

Tom laughed at this before releasing her right hand. He turned and began to lead her from the staircase to the living room.

"You're looking lovely too Tom," Cadence praised. "Grey suits you."

"Thanks, I'm trying to impress my girlfriend," he joked.

"Hmm, just your girlfriend?" she pried with a coy look up to him.

Tom laughed. "Sure, although if other people think 'hey that guy's wearing a grey suit, he must be incredible' then that's a nice bonus."

Cadence shook her head even as she smiled. She felt much of her tension slip away with the humour and her smile remained as Tom opened the living room door and led her into the room.

The living room fit in with the theme of the house- large, extravagant, always seeming vacation ready, impersonal, spacious and appearing as if it existed for a turn over of temporary guests to enjoy, never desiring to have people imprint upon it permanently. The living room was big and bright with floor to ceiling, glass bay doors that led out to a raised wooden balcony granting a generous view of a wide stretch of grass bordered by tall trees and populated with colourful wild flowers. The interior of the room was simple and elegant- white walls and a pale wooden floor, furnished with two royal blue couches, two matching armchairs, and an elegant dining table to seat eight. Paintings of various beauty spots around the Chesapeake Bay adorned the walls, two chandeliers glittered above, and a prominent fireplace set in white marble and silver inlay acted as the main feature of the beautiful but impersonal room.

Ordinarily there was little life in the room, Tom had always evaded it and Cadence had never quite taken to it, considering its space off-putting rather than relaxing. Currently it was enjoying a rare moment of playing host to six guests.

The six were careful not to openly react as Cadence and Tom entered the room. Instead they kept their conversations flowing, only one of them standing up to steal away from the small group. They were all natives of Chesapeake City who had, over the past couple of years, become friends with Cadence and Tom. Two of them had already known the former Congressman from his time living in the city in his youth but they made the effort not to discuss the past much instead working on a new bond with Tom and Cadence.

Molly, the brunette who had broken away from the others, greeted Cadence with a bright, cheery smile. "Hi Cady, that dress looks lovely, where did you get it?"

Cadence smiled back at Molly before glancing down at her attire again. It was a light blue, short sleeved frock with a pleated skirt that stopped above the knees to show off her slender legs except Cadence had attempted to conceal them a little with a pair of nude pantyhose that seemed a little unnecessary for summer.

"It was a little boutique store, The Silver Birch."

"Oh I know it," Molly enthused, "it has some beautiful things."

"Well much as I love talking about clothes," Tom murmured. He was interrupted by the doorbell ringing.

He cocked his head over his shoulder curiously before grinning back at the women. "Excuse me, I'll get that because Cady still insists on no maid."

Tom released Cadence's hand as she berated him.

"Having a maid is incredibly snobby," Cadence scorned.

She watched as Tom left before returning her attention to Molly and the others. She could see Dale glancing over with a small smile, ready to make his greetings. Cadence smiled back warmly, appreciating that her guests were just trying to give her space knowing she would settle with them on her own time.

Tom opened the tall, arched front door and stared out at the group curiously. He offered them a flash of his slightly crooked grin before quipping, "whatever you're selling I'm not buying."

"Ha, ha," Toby Ziegler scorned dryly. "Did early retirement make you want to try comedy?"

Tom clapped a palm to his chest with a mock wince. "Ouch Toby, that one almost stung but as you know I'm a Republican and we don't have hearts."

Tom's grin widened as he pushed back the door at last.

C.J, lingering behind Toby and yet very much above him given her statuesque physique, couldn't resist a smile at Tom's retort. "Can I quote you on that for the election?" she remarked jovially.

Tom shook his head as he gestured for them to enter. "My quote is, 'give us a chance now we can't do any worse.'."

Tom laughed as Toby tensed up with a bristle and hesitated on entering the house.

"Don't worry Toby, you won't burn, the house is half-Democrat, Cady still votes that way despite my very best efforts."

"I don't know why I'm here," Toby grumbled as he stepped in followed by C.J.

"For cake, there's cake right?" C.J remarked as she glanced back to Tom.

Tom made a point of looking past the entering Sam and remaining Josh to the empty gravel driveway behind them.

"Aren't there more of you?" Tom queried. "There should be more and with the cake. That was the deal, I didn't get political and pretended that Cady and I have separate bedrooms and Leo brought the cake and left the shotgun at home."

Josh snickered at this. "He doesn't have a shotgun, now that's Republican."

"He has a rifle and I've seen it," Tom answered grimly. "Where is he though? More importantly, where is the cake and Mallory?"

"They're coming," Josh assured. "They took a different boat, there are delays with the president's security, you know how it is."

Josh offered a smile up to the Republican knowing that he wouldn't be fooled. Another problem with Tom Landis other than being a middle-aged Republican dating the daughter of a prominent Democrat was that he had an uncanny gift of insightfulness. Tom was rarely deceived by the masks people wore, often guessing at their worries before they even recognised them in themselves.

"Uh huh." Tom folded his arms and stood in the doorway, blocking Josh from following after the others. "I'm sure the president is here in Chesapeake just for Cady's birthday too," he mused, "and has no interest in a seat in the Senate opening up for this fine state."

"None at all." Josh's smile widened. "Tom, did you get a haircut? That would be for Cadence's birthday as well, right? You're not planning any public appearances that require a nice, sharp hairdo, right?"

Tom grinned back at the man before he laughed and slackened his stance. "You're one of the very few Democrats I missed, I'm glad you finally made it down here."

"Well the rest of us will try not to take offence at that," Sam muttered.

"Why would we?" Toby queried. "Josh is the one who got offended, imagine being missed by a Republican." He sighed and pressed a hand up to his wrinkled brow. "We're off to a good start already, I can see it now, even the president's people like the Republicans, it will be their slogan."

Tom turned back to the others giving Josh a chance to enter. "You can head through the living room, it's on the right just by the staircase," he advised as he pointed. "Although you might prefer the kitchen Toby, where I keep the good whiskey and nobody is right now."

Toby nodded agreeably. "Where is it?"

"Wow Toby, look at you agreeing with the big bad Republican," C.J teased.

Tom pointed to the left. "Take that door and follow the corridor, it's through the door at the end," he retorted.

Tom turned his attention to the others as Toby pointedly veered to the left without a word.

"So, how has everyone been? Did Leo give you conversation cards on what you can and can't say until he arrives?" Tom teased as he headed for the living room.

"Jokes at your expense are fine and don't praise your living arrangements," Josh replied.

Tom frowned and for a moment Josh glimpsed the heavy set weariness in his blue eyes. He realised that Tom was carrying a lot more stress than when they had last met. He wondered why that was given on the surface Tom appeared to have been living a pleasant life relaxing near the coast of Chesapeake Bay being the golden boy of Virginia.

"He isn't getting used to me is he?"

Josh shook his head but this time there was no teasing glint in his gaze. He halted as they neared the living room, leaning slightly to Tom so he could speak quietly and be audible. "Tom if you're going to do what we suspect you will, Leo is going to make personal, he'll have us hit back with everything we can."

"Surely you'll do that anyway."

"You know Leo will have the party come at you harder than he would with anyone else."

Tom sighed angrily. "Why?"

Josh allowed his grin to return. "I'm only saying this once and denying I ever uttered it," he commented solemnly. "Because you're the one that might win, then we've another Republican in the Senate for the next term and we can't have that, you guys have the House and the Senate right now, we're going to get them back, we have to. You were the liberal we were counting on to lose, no one expected things to go the way they have for you."

Tom reached for the door handle. "Well I didn't either, I came here to get away from it."

"No, you wanted to take Cadence away from it," Josh corrected. "And how does she feel about the possibility of getting pulled back into it?"

Tom ignored the question as he pushed open the door with a wide grin. He thought bitterly that there was no good time to have that discussion with Cadence.