Author: Regency

Title: Flavored Coffee, Bath Bubbles & Naps

Rating: PG and possibly up

Pairing: Jed/Abbey

Season/Spoiler/Sequel: Season [something]; Night Five; None so far.

Summary: The President says that he isn't one of 'those' people. That doesn't mean it wouldn't hurt.

Author's Notes: Any cannon dialogue is paraphrased or fictional.

Disclaimer: I only own the Secret Service Agents that are unfamiliar.

~~~~~

Abbey smiles quietly at the guests while surreptitiously looking around for her husband. Where the hell is he? Was there some kind of emergency? They were supposed to have opened the dance floor an hour ago. People were getting suspicious and staffers were getting nervous. The President had slipped away soon after his after dinner address and hadn't been seen since. She was already worried. She looked about casually and saw Leo on the other side of the dance floor. Moving gracefully amongst the apprehensively dancing couples, she gave a touch here and there to ease their minds. Reaching Leo, she puts out her hand and he takes it, guiding her out onto the dance floor. The waltz for a bit, smiling for those cameras that she can swear shouldn't be there.

"Where's my husband, Leo? He's been gone for a while now. People are getting worried." She meets his eyes and sees the confusion there. Confused? Why would he be confused?

"He's not here? You're sure?" She stops, but gets moving again when it catches others' attention. She smiles reassuringly while alarms are starting to go off in her head.

"Yes, Leo. I'm sure. He was here a while ago, but now he isn't. I've looked high and low and he isn't in this room, right now. Is it possible that there was a thing in the Situation Room and you didn’t hear about it?" He gives her a look and she shrugs nonchalantly. It was just a guess. "Okay, so no. Where is he then?"

"Maybe he went out for a cigarette?" He doesn't want to rat on his best friend, but he doesn't want Abbey to worry. He sees her narrow her eyes.

"Maybe. Excuse me, I need to find my husband and smoke his ass." Leo chuckles a little and shakes his head, stepping off of the dance floor. Jed's gonna get it. His laughter fades as he sees her talk to an agent at the door. Her lips change from a straight line to a frown. Her brows furrow and she says something back to the agent. The agent nods and Abbey stands still for a moment. Realizing that she's being watched, she pastes the smile back on and slides through the throng until she's back at his side. She meets his eyes and shakes her head. He's not outside. Okay, now he's worried.

~~~~~

Josh stands bored by the buffet table and vacillates between watching CJ try to trick Toby into dancing with her and watching Donna being wooed by Lord John Marbury. One is funny; the other...not so much.

Soon, he feels a shift in the room and he looks around to see if anyone else felt it too. CJ and Toby aren't playing anymore, but are looking about. Donna is still standing with Lord John, but both are looking around too. Something's happened. They all feel it. He sees the First Lady and Leo dancing stiffly on the floor. They slip away from each other and start to make rounds of the small clusters of people about the room. They keep calm smiles on their faces, but he can feel the apprehension from where he stands at least ten yards away from either of them. He motions CJ, Toby, Donna, and Lord John over. They cluster around him casually, or so it seems.

"Something changed, just now. I felt it." CJ nods and Toby rocks on his heels.

"We did as well. Something…isn't quite right. I feel it my duty to point out that your President hasn't shown himself for more than an hour now." He taps his watch, which looks far more expensive than Josh's. "I've been counting." Before any of them can respond, a neatly pressed Sam sidles up cavalierly and finds a spot in their group.

"Something's up."

"No, I mean, both the First Lady and Leo have asked me if I've seen the President three times between them in the last ten minutes. They're making rounds. I don't think they realize it, but they keep asking the same groups of people and those charming smiles are only going to convince for so long. I don't know what's up, but someone needs to tell them to stop, otherwise, this will become the press's thing real fast." That last part was directed at CJ, who looks to Toby. He senses her eyes and steps back.

"No, make that guy do it. With all due respect, Mr. Ambassador."

"Of course, Toby. And I told you, you may call me John."

"Yes, sir. John…Go speak to Abbey." He eyes flit around Tobily. "Please."

"That's more like it." He takes Donna's drink and says, "You won't be needing this anymore, will you dear?" She smiles and shakes her head. "Thank you. I'm off." He winks at Donna and trots away, gracefully. She grins after him. It fades when she looks at Josh, who just looks constipated. Of course, that could be jealousy. Nah.

"Josh, go talk to Leo."

"Why?"

"Because he finds the Ambassador annoying and of the many incidents I'm going to have to deal with in the morning, can it please not include a cockfight between the White House Chief of Staff and the Ambassador to England?" CJ reaches out and smacks Josh upside the head. "And because I'm the Press Secretary and I make you look good. So, do as I say and I won't tell about the thing." His eyes get big and he looks around.

"Okay, I'll talk to Leo." He starts to walk to where he last saw him. He turns back to CJ. "You're not going to tell about the thing, are you?" She gives his a wry glance.

He walks away, muttering, "I feel like a bad dog." CJ grins.

"Be good and I'll let you chew on Toby's shoe." Toby looks at her like she's cracked. She wasn't kidding.

"There's something relatively abnormal about you?" She wiggles her eyebrows.

"Only relatively?"

"Yeah, 'cause Josh is completely abnormal." CJ has to agree and nods.

"Yeah, I haven't quite hit rock bottom yet."

Josh, who's still straggling to make sure she doesn't tell, yells, "I can still hear you." CJ smiles and Toby smirks. Or it could be an interested grimace. It's hard to tell.

"Then, go away, so that you can't." He pouts and moves to find Leo, who's already moved to a different side of the room. Ah, damn it!

"So, what did I miss?" Sam's looks inquisitive and waits to be informed. CJ's smile fades.

"There's something going on. The President hasn't been seen for more than an hour and the First Lady's worried. So's Leo."

"They're trying to hide it, but they're not doing a very good job of it. As every moment progresses, it's easier for us to see. It's only a matter of time before others can see it too."

"So, what can we do?" His hands are stuffed in his pockets in classic Toby-pose and he rocks on his heels. Toby doesn't like this. He likes to be unique.

"Stop that." He looks up from his thoughts, confused.

"Stop what?"

"That. What you're doing right now." Sam blinks at him owlishly. Sometimes, he thinks Toby's the one that 'startlingly freakish.' And not in the idiot savant kind of way either.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You. You're mimicking me. Me and my movements, my mannerisms. Don't do that." Sam looks at Toby, then at himself. He smiles.

"But, I like doing this. It's me." Toby looks up under his eyebrows.

"No, it's me. Me as in mine. Mine."

"Toby, is your individuality feeling threatened?"

"What?" Sam moves towards a suddenly wary Toby. He puts an arm around him.

"Toby, nobody can steal what makes you you. I just like to do what you do, because it makes me feel closer to you." Toby blinks.

"Okay. Well, I think that's close enough. As a matter of fact, it's too close. I'm gonna go stand clandestinely behind CJ and, you know, guard my individuality against people who want to get closer." He shuffles away to stand behind CJ, who peeks over her shoulder to look at him. He shrugs at her, daring her to comment.

Sam looks down. "I thought imitation was the finest form of flattery." CJ rubs the back of his neck.

"Don't worry, Sam. It's not you. Flattery scares Toby. That's why he hid behind me."

"I did not hide. I stood clandestinely."

"Whatever. You hid--" Donna cuts in. This isn't getting them anywhere.

"Guys, tell Sam what's we're doing now. I think he's going to need to know soon." CJ nods.

"So, guys, here's what we need to do..."

~~~~~~

As the First Lady and Leo end another one of their brief informa-dances, a hand comes about and catches hers. Her eyes widen and she plasters one of those smiles on her face.

"Lord John, as much as I'd like to, I can't dance right now." He keeps a pleasant expression on his face for show.

"I suggest you find the time, dear, before you and Gerald give yourselves away more than you already have." He gently spins her around.

"What are you talking about, John?"

"I'm talking about your husband and the fact that at this moment, he isn't here. And he hasn't been here in more than an hour." She slows down to look into his face. He can see the concern and the fear that's starting to creep in.

"You saw him leave?" Her eyes are hopeful that this miniature nightmare will end soon. He only hopes he can help. He nods.

"He left through the far doors. He seemed eager to go. Tired, as well. I don't mean to alarm you, Abigail. But when you search the building, I suggest you look on the floor...Just in case. If you are going to continue asking people if they've seen your husband, please try to remember who you've already spoken to and try to talk to Leo, as well." She looks from side to side.

"Are we being that obvious?"

"Only to those that know you well and love you. If you are not watchful, others will see too."

"Who's seen?"

"It's not so much what they've seen as what they've felt. We all felt the change. The room…the air is positively humming." She looks up at her old friend and is glad to have him here. Her voice is low.

"I need to look for him, John. I need to him found and I need to be the one to find him. What if he needs me? What if he needs a doctor? I can't look for him and be here." He gently grasps her elbows.

"Then, go, Abigail. This bunch will wait. And there is a group of people who are ready to cover for you. Say the word and we'll cover your absence." He leans down and kisses her cheek. "Now go, and get your man!" She smiles and disappears into the partygoers. "God, please get to him before it's too late." He smiles charmingly and cut in on a lovely young lady's dance. "Hello, I am Lord John Marbury, Earl of Croix…" He lists his many titles to her and she smiles shyly. All that was left was for the President to return and this evening could turn out to be quite splendid.

Quite splendid indeed.

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