By the time Jed arrived at the hotel suite it was bustling with the activity of a woman preparing for a party. A hairstylist was busy plugging in a curling iron; while another woman was preparing her cosmetics to do the First Lady's make up. Aides roamed freely but he didn't see Abbey anywhere. He gave Lily a frown and she motioned her head toward the closed bedroom door. He opened it and saw her seated on the edge of the bed with her hair up in big hot curlers. She was wearing a robe to cover her gown and was talking on their cell phone.

"You guys behave for Izzy and take a good nap. Oh, wait a minute, daddy just came in. You want to say hi to daddy?" She held the phone out to Jed who grinned and began to chat with his offspring ignoring the fact that he only got a few words and mostly babble in response. By the time he hung up Abbey was staring out the window cloaked with melancholy. Hearing her daughter's voice had brought to mind that pale, dying little girl in the hospital.

"You miss them?" Jed placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Yeah, but it's more than that. I just can't get this little girl I saw at the hospital out of my mind. She's just a little older than Ash and she's waiting for a heart transplant. I don't think that she's going to be able to hold out until they find one. I just sat there holding her hand and thinking how lucky that we are. We've been so lucky with all of our kids."

"I know."

"It scares me sometimes. We've almost been too lucky."

He wanted to tell her not to talk like that, but he couldn't, not when a part of him shared that dark Catholic fatalism. The church had changed so much since he and Abbey were kids. It was now a church of love and inclusion but the church that they had grown up in was one of rules and punishment. He also could have reminded her that they'd had their share of heartache, the miscarriage between Elizabeth and Ellie, and later their miscarried son Peter. Instead he rubbed her shoulders comfortingly.

A soft rap on the door brought them out of their somber recollections. Lily paused a moment waiting for the OK before she poked her head in. She had learned her lesson the hard way having interrupted the President and First Lady in a heavy duty clinch in the First Lady's east wing office not long after the President had taken office.

"Ma'am they're ready to do your hair and make up."

"What about me?" Jed asked. "I am the President after all. I thought I might try something a little different. Try a new look."

Both Lily and Abbey stopped and turned their shocked stares on him.

"Kidding," he grinned. "I'm just kidding. After all, Abbey, as you so eloquently told me on Air Force One, I haven't changed my hairstyle since 1980."

* * * *

"Nervous?" Jed asked, as he and Abbey approached the top of the stairwell at the Presidential Palace to be introduced.

Abbey gave a slight nod. Dressed in her designer gown and all her jewels, like Cinderella on her way to the ball, she could still at times feel like an imposter. As she stared down the wide staircase to the glittering crowd of people below she realized that after three years the positions that she and Jed held still had the power to overwhelm her.

"Don't worry, you're gonna knock their socks off." He gave her an appreciative once over from head to toe and from the look in his eyes she knew that she'd done well.

"The President of the United States and Mrs. Bartlet." The announcement was loud and caused the crowd to cease their chatter and gaze expectantly upwards, as the strains to "Hail to the Chief " began."

"I believe they're playing your song," Abbey murmured, as she linked her arm with his and they began to descend the staircase.

An excited buzz rose in the crowd as the first couple was sighted. Jed was always very dashing in his white tie and tails but Abbey had truly outdone herself for the occasion. In deference to her host country she was a glittering vision in pale blue and white. She wore an icy blue satin sheath that just skimmed her soft curves and displayed the top swells of her breasts. A slit in the side revealed much of one shapely leg. The dainty diamante straps of the gown shimmered where they criss- crossed over her slender bare back. Her fiery curls were swept up off her slender neck and held in place by tiny diamond and aquamarine clips. The same cool gemstones graced her neck and dangled from her ears. She was a radiant combination of fire and ice.

Jed couldn't help but notice that while he was being introduced to Abbey, President Shugurin's eyes never left the spot on her chest where her sparkling necklace dipped into the V between her breasts. In a masochistic moment his eyes sought out Leo wondering what he would see in his best friend's face, but Leo was studiously avoiding looking at Abbey. In fact he was looking at everything in the room but Abbey and Jed found that even more telling than if he'd been ogling her.

It was easy for Tarja now to see just why the President wanted a romantic night with his wife. She was a beautiful woman, and he was certainly no slouch in the looks department himself, and even though she had just met them today it was very easy to see the powerful attraction they held for one another. Her eyes moved down to the elegant, miniscule, matching handbag that Abbey carried.

"The Finnish press is going to love you," she informed her. Abbey looked down at her purse with puzzlement, not sure what the Finnish President was talking about.

"I don't get many marks for style as it is," she informed the very stylish American First Lady. "But what they really hate are my big handbags."

Abbey glanced down at Tarja's large bulky handbag. It wasn't all that stylish and it didn't really match her subdued rather matronly gown, but did that really matter? Still, Abbey could sympathize with the woman. "For me it's short skirts."

"What?"

"It drives a certain conservative section of the media crazy that I wear skirts cut above the knee. That's never been done before. And of course they hate these to." She pulled her skirt aside to reveal a pair of strappy, ice blue, three inch Manilo Blahnik high heels.

Tarja had to admit that she didn't know how in the hell the other woman could walk in those incredibly high heels, especially without any ankle support, but as Abbey had thought earlier, did it really matter what kind of shoes she liked to wear?

"I bet it's only jealous women who complain," Tarja said. She imagined that most men would be just fine with Abigail Bartlet wanting to wear short skirts and high heels.

"Well, them, and a few Bible belt preachers. I'm afraid they find me rather sinful."

Tarja burst into laughter at the First Lady's candor and thought Vladimir Shugurin might be thinking the same thing, only he wouldn't be complaining.

Shugurin was eyeing the shapely contours of the First Lady's exposed leg wondering just what it was about high heels like the ones that she wore that made a woman's leg so much more sexy and appealing.

"I think that it's time to go and wave to the crowd before we do the receiving line and move in for dinner," Tarja informed them all. President Shugurin eagerly took Abbey's arm and they made their way toward the French doors that lead to a large balcony. Jed was left to fall behind with Lyudmila Shugurin. He laid on the charm with the stony-faced Russian woman trying to get her to at least crack a smile. He didn't succeed.

A loud cheer resounded as the three Presidents and their spouses stepped out onto the presidential balcony and began to wave. What started out as an overall cheer soon became a chant that Abbey had become familiar with that afternoon.

"AAA-BBEY, AAA-BBEY!!!

"They appear to really appreciate you," Shugurin nodded down toward the crowd.

Abbey didn't know what to say. She couldn't contradict him, the crowd was shouting for her, but she didn't know if he was going to take being upstaged as well as Jed did. After all she wasn't his wife, he wasn't able to derive the same satisfaction that Jed felt at having a wife who was so popular. But, there wasn't any anger in the President of Russia's eyes, just a look that Abbey had seen so many times in the eyes of the opposite sex, blatant appreciation. She wondered how, having seen it so easily in President Shugurin's eyes, she could have missed it for all these years in Leo's. How on Gods green earth had she missed it?

* * * *

CJ stood in the doorway with a fond smile on her face while she watched the President and First Lady dance, along with everyone else in the room.

"There's no reason a pretty girl like you should be a wallflower."

CJ jumped at Danny's voice in her ear then turned to him with eyes narrowed over his terminology.

"I haven't been a GIRL in thirty years, "she told him. "And as if you didn't know, this is a working trip for me."

"You know what they say about all work and no play."

"I can't afford to play. I have a scandal to avert." She was still pissed that he wouldn't let her keep the pictures.

Danny sighed and turned to watch the dancing. The President was obviously very comfortable leading his wife around the dance floor and Mrs. Bartlet was exceedingly graceful and light on her feet. "They really are a golden couple, aren't they?" He remarked.

"They're exactly what a marriage should be, but a lot of times isn't."

Danny could hear the accusing tone in her voice, as if somehow he was trying to destroy that or taint it in some way. "CJ, I'm sorry I have to take that picture back, but I'll lose all my credibility if I don't."

"And what about your credibility if this person turns around and runs to the National Enquirer and that picture shows up with some tawdry headline about the First Lady having an affair with her husband's best friend."

"Then you'll tell them the truth about what happened."

"You know damn well that people always believe the worst in politicians. They'll think that we're covering up and you know it. And even if they don't, I'll have completely ruined Leo's career."

"Look, I'll tell her the whole story and try to convince her not to go elsewhere."

"Ah ha!" She snapped her fingers in his face. " So it's a woman who gave it to you."

Danny reddened at his slip. "I'm not going to tell you who it is so you can stop trying to play Mata Hari."

Oh, CJ thought, as she stared into his frustrated green eyes. You don't know Mata Hari yet, buster, not by half.

Danny could see that he wasn't going to get anywhere with CJ when she was in this "protect her boss" mode. He knew that this meant more to her than her job. It was more than a press secretary trying to shield her boss and his wife, CJ loved the President and First Lady, they had become like family to her and everyone knew that you were supposed to protect your family. Moreover, Danny knew that if the tables were turned Jed and Abbey Bartlet would do whatever they could to protect CJ. So, he decided to change his tactics and go professional. "Am I still set for the exclusive with Abbey on the way home on Air Force One."

"Yes, although I don't know why she picked YOU for the exclusive."

"Maybe because SHE likes me."

"There's no accounting for taste I guess. This IS the same woman who put ketchup on her pancakes, after all."

"Abbey puts ketchup on her pancakes," Danny grimaced.

"Oh God, don't write that," CJ groaned. "It was when she was pregnant with the twins. She doesn't do it now. She…"

"CJ, I'm a serious journalist," he grinned. "Do you honestly think I'm going to write a story about the First Lady's favorite condiments? Besides, I like her too. You know she thinks that you should give me chance."

"She SAID that!" CJ nearly yelped. Abbey had been trying to fix her up for years now and the one man she was consistently pushing her toward was Danny Concannon. For some reason Abbey thought they would be a perfect couple, but CJ hadn't known that she was doing a little pushing with Danny too.

"Oh God, does that man have a death wish?" Josh came up behind CJ and she turned to see what he was talking about. The dance had ended and people surrounded the President, but the First Lady had walked away toward the open doors to get a little air. What made them all hold their breath was that Leo was making his way over towards her.

"Not now, Leo" CJ muttered under her breath. "Don't do this now."

* * * *

"Hello, Abbey."

Abbey turned, startled to see Leo.

"Hi Leo. You're not going to ask me to dance, are you?"

"Asking you to dance was how I got in trouble the last time," he said ruefully. " I just wanted to get the chance to talk to you."

"Leo, I don't think that this is the time nor the place," Abbey demurred.

"I know. I just couldn't wait any longer to tell you how sorry that I am. It's…"

"I believe the lady said that she DIDN'T want to talk to you tonight." Jed's thunderous words and the murderous expression on his face caused both Leo and Abbey to start. "Do you understand that no means no? Oh, that's right, you DON'T understand that."

"I understand that VERY well," Leo stated angrily. "I've never had to force myself on a woman."

"Well you certainly tried to with my WIFE."

"OK, that's enough, you two." Abbey hissed. "People are starting look over here. "

"I told you not to come near her," the furious tone to Jed's words came through even in his whisper.

"She's an adult, she can talk to whoever she wants."

"OK, there is way too much testosterone aggression in this corner right now. I'm going to go mingle. Jed, when you're finished with this little pissing contest you really should come and join me."

As she swept away toward the dance floor she heard a photographer asking President Shugurin if he would pose for a picture with President Bartlet.

"I'd rather pose with his wife," Shugurin boomed, and took another shot of vodka. So, while Leo and Jed stared each other down in a corner, Abbey posed on the arm of the half drunk Russian President.

"Now, a toast." Shugurin grabbed shot glasses of vodka and handed one to Abbey. "To the lovely American First Lady who has truly brightened a day full of dull meetings." He tossed back his vodka easily while Abbey stared for a moment at hers. The shot glass was twice the size of an American one and she didn't usually drink hard alcohol straight, but it would also be rude not to drink to the toast made in her honor. Oh well, while in Rome, she thought, as she tossed back the shot. Her eyes immediately began to water and she coughed trying not to make a scene of gasping for air as the burning liquid seared a path down her throat.

Shugurin laughed at her response to the potent liquor. "That's good Russian vodka," he informed her. "Not that watered down, sissy American stuff."

Abbey smiled wanly at him still trying to catch her breath.

"Here," he handed her another glass.

"Well Mr. President, you wouldn't be trying to get me a little tipsy, would you?"

"Of course not, Mrs. Bartlet. I'm trying to get you drunk."

Abbey blinked at a loss for a moment by the mans honesty, then burst into laughter as she tossed the second drink down. It didn't go down nearly as hard as the first one.

By the time Jed reluctantly left the confrontation he wanted to have with Leo and moved to join his wife she was on her third shot of vodka and was clapping with the other guests while the red-faced President of Russia performed a Russian folkdance for her.

"Join me!" Shugurin called out.

"I'm afraid I don't know any Russian folkdances. The closest I come is an Irish jig."

"An Irish jig it is then. Play something Irish," he called out to the band.

Jed placed an arm around Abbey's waist. He could tell from the slight slur in her voice that she was feeling no pain.

"I'm sorry but I'll have to decline the offer. You see…"

"Abbey only does the jig on St. Paddy's day, " Jed finished for her. His wife was amazing, even three sheets to the wind she was still gracious.

Abbey turned to him and leaned heavily against him. "Jed, I think I'm drunk," she informed him.

"Abbey, I KNOW you're drunk."

* * * *

"That was fun," Abbey exclaimed as she plopped rather unladylike into the limo. "The President was a hell of lot more fun than hanging out with his sour puss of a wife."

"Tell me about it. I had to spend the night at her table and dance with her. I don't think she said two words to me."

"Poor Jeddy," she purred, sliding over to press up against him. "That famous Bartlet charm didn't do the trick? You should have just batted your baby blues at her and she would have been putty in your hands."

"I don't bat my baby blues." He glanced down at where her fingers were playing with the buttons on his shirt. "What are you doing?" he asked with amusement.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm undressing you."

"Uh, Abbey, we can't do this here." He tried to push her insistent hands off his chest.

"Why not? It's not like we've never done it in a limo." She began to run her lips along his jaw and he could smell the vodka on her breath. She was definitely trashed and Christ if she wasn't sexy when she was drunk.

"Hey, you know I'm always up for a little quickie, but…"

"Oh I know you're always up for it." She cupped her hand over the front of his pants feeling him spring to life.

"BUT…" he gritted his teeth against his body's involuntary response to her caress and removed her hand. "We are only about a block away from the hotel."

"I don't wanna wait," she sulked.

"I promise I'll make it worth it." His voice was silky in her ear.

"I'm going to hold you to that."

* * * *

Jed held Abbey tightly around the waist to keep her from stumbling anymore than she was. The high heels that he had removed from her feet dangled from his fingertips. His senior staff was giving him funny looks as he walked his singing wife down the hall.

"Just this little bit of my love, this is how it should begin, skin on skin…" Abbey sang as they made their way toward their suite.

"She tried to drink President Shugurin under the table, " he explained to them. "All 110 pounds of her."

The grin left his face as an angry Abbey stomped on his foot. "Jed, don't tell them how much I WEIGH."

The staff bit back amused smiles as Jed turned back to face Ron.

"Are you gonna let her get away with that?" He asked the secret service man.

"Well, it isn't very gentlemanly to announce a lady's weight. Even if she is just a wisp of thing. I think you deserved the stomp."

"Thank you, Ron," Abbey flashed him that smile that always made his heart flip.

Jed turned to open the door to he and Abbey's suite and as he removed his arm Abbey began to slide down to the floor. Leo had been standing right next to her and it was an automatic reflex to reach out to catch her. Unfortunately Jed had the same reflex.

"I've got her," Jed said angrily, as he pulled her away from the other man to haul her up against his body. Leo immediately backed off.

"My hero" Abbey's voice was throaty as she tapped Jed's face.

"Do you need any help, sir." CJ was openly grinning now.

"Naw, I think I've got it under control. Good-night everyone."

He pulled Abbey into the suite and as soon as the door shut behind them she plastered herself to his body pushing him back up against the wall. Her lips were on his, her tongue in his mouth, and she was trying to push his tuxedo jacket off his shoulders.

"Abbey…Abbey" he pulled back from her embrace.

"What now?" She demanded with frustration.

"I was just remembering that the last time we were in a foreign country and you were drunk and jumping my bones like this I ended up with two more kids."

"Jed."

"What?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

Jed grinned and obediently bent to the task ready to kiss her breath away. He felt himself hardening as she ground her pelvis into him. His hands had just moved up from her hips to cup over her breasts and he was thinking just how turned on he was by his beautiful, amorous wife, when she suddenly pushed back against him, hard. He banged his head on the wall.

"Abbey?" He rubbed the back of his head with a frown.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." She covered her mouth with her palm and stumbled away toward the bathroom.

Jed followed close behind. He knelt behind her and rubbed her back while she retched. "You know this isn't the response that I usually get for a kiss. You're damaging my ego."

"Oh, Jed," she moaned. "I really don't feel well."

"I know, baby." He began to take the clips out of her hair so he could stroke the back of her head. "That's what happens when you mix champagne and vodka."

Abbey nodded, got dizzy, and fell back against him.

When she was finished throwing up, Jed helped her to her feet and led her to the bedroom. "One step at a time, beautiful."

Their pace was so slow he finally simply lifted her into his arms and carried her the bed, where he proceeded to strip her down to the slinky, silk, aquamarine slip that she was wearing. Her limp hand fell across one breast and he groaned aloud as his body sprang back to life. "Man are you going to owe me big time, Abs," he told her, as he eased her silky nylons off.

"Mmmm…." She murmured sleepily.

"You can't just get a man all hot and bothered like this and not come through. You know what they call girls like that?" He rolled her onto her belly and began to brush the back of her hair.

"Mmm… a cooocktease" she drew the word out on a slur.

"Yup, and you are sure are teasing mine tonight." He began to remove her jewelry.

"Sorry."

"You're just lucky that you're so damn cute when you're drunk."

"You said…sexy…not cute."

"Cute AND sexy, well, when you're not throwing up anyway." He got up and began to walk away from the bed.

"Don't go, Jed" she called out languidly.

"I'm coming right back," he assured her. By the time he returned with a glass of water and a couple of aspirin she was almost asleep.

"Abbey, I want you to take these."

"Leave me alone," she groaned.

"Come on sweetheart. You're going to have a hell of a hangover as it is. This will help." He tried to push the aspirin between her lips.

"Stop it, Jed. I'm drunk and I'm sick. Let me sleep."

"Just take these, sweetpea, and I'll quit bugging you."

He finally got her to take a sip of the water and swallow the pills, then swung her legs up on the bed to tuck her in. He slipped out of his own clothes and slid under the sheets next to her. Abbey immediately rolled toward his warm body and lifted her lips to him for a goodnight kiss.

"I love you," she smiled up at him beatifically then promptly passed out on his chest.

Jed smiled down at her tenderly and nuzzled his lips in her hair. "Oh yes, my darling, you are going to owe me for this."

TBC...