Title: Karaoke Kids Part 15 I'm feeling a little guilty about yelling at Josh for quite so long. Several minutes during which he just stands there. Occasionally defending himself. Or Sam. Or their relationship. Why? Just a few more months. You waited this long. A few more months until the end of the President's term. And you could have made an announcement to the world on CNN for I all I care. But right now? After I spoke to Jen, I was surprised at how quickly my anger returned as he walked back in response to my shout. He was lucky Jen agreed to have dinner with me. If she had turned me down, I might have beaten him to death with my copy of the Post. I still might. I said we'd wait and see what the gaggle's reaction was at morning press. If there was a big fuss, I told him he didn't need me to tell him what they would have to do. **************** And he didn't. I hear myself saying the word. `Resign.' `Yeah.' `But Sam…' Leo's voice still carries his earlier anger. `Josh.' Suddenly, I hear my voice crack. `It's not fair Leo.' `Hey kid, you don't have to tell me.' There was almost a smile on his lips. Almost. `Keep out of the President's way today, okay?' Thanks Leo. For the advice. And the half-smile. I need to talk to Sam. But I don't want to have to speak to Toby. I'll wait until CJ comes out to go to her briefing. ******************* `Leo.' I get up as I hear Jed's voice from inside his office. `Sir?' I close the door behind me. `Did you speak to them?' `Yeah.' `And?' `I said we should wait and see what the Press reaction is before doing anything.' He's angry. Not with me. Just at me. I know that, but I still wince at his tone. `Leo! You know what the press reaction is going to be. Did you know about this?' He points to the picture of Josh and Sam. `Yeah.' Now he's trying sarcasm. `And you didn't think to tell me.' `What for?' `In case this happened?' I try to make him see reason. `Would it have made any difference if you had known?' `Maybe.' `Yeah. And maybe not. Sir, I'm handling it.' He picks up the paper. `Yeah, I can see.' Not caring about his reaction, I turn and walk out. ****************** It's been three months. We've had lunch, been out to dinner. And I'm trying. I'm really trying. But the spark just isn't there. Whatever it was attracted me to Leo in the first place has gone. Oh, the eyes are still my downfall, of course. I wouldn't have tried this long if he didn't have those eyes. Even thinking about them makes me smile. But eyes aren't enough. He's trying really hard. He hasn't broken a date in all the time we've been back together. Listen to me. Date. Can you really go on a `date' with your ex-husband? And are we back together? We've spent some time together, but we're not back together. Not really. And I know that's down to me. One of the conditions I put on us seeing each other again was that we had to take things slowly. And Leo just agreed. No argument, no discussion, nothing. Just `Okay'. Tonight he's coming over and I'm going to tell him. We can't go on like this. It's not fair on either of us. I remember the look in his eyes the last time I left. Windows into the soul. His soul was hurt. And I'll see that look again tonight. But it's for the best. Really. It is. Continued in Part Sixteen Home