HERE TONIGHT
Josh and Sam, both suddenly invigorated, threw themselves in front of Zoey. Donna jumped up, standing in front of Josh, and both Toby and CJ left their chairs with a jolt. And then all of them registered that the threat was not a threat at all, in fact, there were four Secret Service agents in the room.
�Gosh, they scared the living daylight out of me,� Sam admitted.
�Yeah,� Josh concurred. �What�s wrong, guys?� He approached the four agents then.
�We have a lockdown,� the lead agent told them.
�Cool,� Sam exclaimed, earning some angry glares from CJ and Toby.
�What�s the problem?� Josh asked the lead agent again.
�There is someone in the building. He was sighted twice. According to the witnesses he is armed,� the lead agent imparted. �Why don�t you make yourself comfortable while we check out the room?� he asked then.
The little group assumed their previous position until they had to jump to their feet when Dr. Bartlet was brought into the room.
�Mom!� Zoey flew into her mother�s arms.
�Zoey. Are you okay, honey?� Abbey asked her daughter.
�Yes, Mom,� Zoey hurried to reassure her mother and then looked around. Toby sauntered to Sam and Josh and was standing between them, freeing up the chair for Zoey�s mom.
�Why don�t we sit down?� Abbey asked then, sending a reassuring little smile at her husband�s staff.
�Thank you, ma�am,� CJ said and they all took place. Toby, Sam and Josh on the sofa, Donna resumed her previous position and Zoey pretty much mirrored her pose at her mother�s chair.
�What are you all doing here, by the way?� Abbey asked, looking at the assembled coworkers.
�I wanted to escort Zoey down and found CJ here,� Josh informed the First Lady-in-Waiting.
�I came because I wanted to ask for a different set of earrings,� CJ said.
�We were looking for CJ,� Sam said then.
�And I wanted an autograph from Zoey,� Donna piped up.
�An autograph?� Abbey�s interest was piqued.
�For her niece,� Josh hurried to explain. �She found Zoey�s interview in August encouraging.�
Zoey�s eyes met her mother�s, and they shared a little smile.
�I see. And what were you doing here? Just sitting around or��
�We were about to play a game,� Zoey informed her mother.
�Interesting,� Abbey said and wanted to ask something else when the door opened again.
�Hey, Leo, there is a party here!� Jed Bartlet entered the scene, followed by four agents and Leo. The initial four agents, done with checking out the room obviously, left the room together with Abbey�s two agents.
�Why are you all here?� Leo asked his coworkers who stood up again when the President-Elect stepped into the room.
�Josh wanted to escort me down, CJ wanted earrings, Sam and Toby were looking for her and Donna wanted an autograph,� Zoey summarized fast.
�Josh wanted to escort you down?� Jed asked incredulously.
�Daddy!� Zoey cried out indignantly.
�Alright, alright,� Jed said and then wanted to sit down next to Zoey on the floor.
�Sir,� CJ gestured towards her chair.
�No, CJ, I want to sit next to my wife,� Jed admitted.
�Well, sir,� CJ said and motioned two agents closer who then moved her chair next to Abbey�s.
�Thank you, CJ,� Jed said and then motioned to everybody to sit down. Josh sat down next to Donna, giving up his seat for CJ, and Sam took place next to him, giving his place to Leo.
�Wow, that went smooth,� Zoey observed.
�Training,� Josh told her in a whisper, making Jed and Leo smile.
�We were about to play a game,� Abbey informed the two newcomers.
�Really?� Jed asked. �Trivial Pursuit again?� he inquired eagerly.
�No, Jed, not Trivial Pursuit,� Abbey said, shaking her head. �They are not dumb enough to play that game again when you are around.�
�Hey, we had fun!� Jed exclaimed indignantly.
�Yeah, you and Sam had fun, sir,� Toby remarked. �The rest of us were irritated, unnerved or bored,� he added with a brief smirk.
�I saw that,� Jed said menacingly but then his face broke into a smile. �They are only jealous, Sam.�
�Yes, sir,� Sam hurried to concur.
�Eager beaver,� Josh hissed to Sam, making Zoey and Donna giggle. �And next time we play, I�m bringing Donna.�
�I thought we agreed on not having a next time,� Toby said mockingly.
�Yeah, very likely� Josh said, nodding towards the President-Elect, eliciting another giggle from Zoey.
�And I saw that too,� Jed informed Josh who hid behind his assistant.
�Okay, I almost fear to ask, but what kind of game?� Leo inquired.
�Anywhere But Here,� Zoey said eagerly and explained the rules again. �You want to play?� she asked then, looking up at her mother with hope in her eyes.
�Never played it but worth the try,� Abbey gave in. �We�ll let you go first,� she added then, looking at her daughter.
�I don�t want to go first,� Zoey said. �Who wants�?� she wanted to ask but was interrupted by Toby.
�I�ll go first,� he said and the lights went out at that exact moment.
GO TO PART FOUR