They kiss hungrily.
Minds spinning back and forth through time, weaving through their lives together, the highs and lows and the mundane everydays until slowly, the deep needy craving eases a little and their kisses become less intense, become shorter little pops against each others lips and then one more beautiful connection and finally, contentedly, they stop.
Wordlessly, they hold each other close for another few moments but the sounds in the corridor flood back into the room and they know that their interlude has come to an end.
Joe runs his hand down her cheek as they stare into each other's eyes. They smile in unison, knowing that they've created another shared memory, another landmark on their road together. Amidst the tumult and sorrow and uncertainty of the past few days, few weeks, they have once again found solace, found comfort in each other.
The moment is a renewal of sorts, a strengthening of their resolve in preparation for the task that now looms before them.
Together they can face anything.
Forehead resting on her shoulder, Joe runs his hand down her bare back, he raises his head a little and places another sweet kiss on her neck. 'I guess we'd better move', he whispers into her hair and she closes her eyes for one final moment to savor his touch, enjoying the buzz settling deep inside her body.
She feels his face arrange into a smile against her skin; he knows. She raises her hand and cups his head and nods, followed by a sigh of such reluctance at having to move that Joe can feel his heart squeeze.
Knowing that he has brought her a few moments of pleasure, of calm is a balm for his soul.
Finally, they part.
Immediately Joe reaches for the bag. He rummages inside and his hand emerges holding fresh panties. He tucks the elastic on one finger and slips his hands inside the band of the one she's still wearing. Slowly he eases it down her legs and she sets her hands on his shoulders as she steps out. Deftly he replaces them for her and eases them back up. He runs his finger along the elastic, around her legs and she grins at his attention. He notices and looks bashful. 'I just want to be sure you're comfortable', he tells her.
She reaches her hand out and touches his jaw. 'My hero', she says softly and his face is transformed into a beaming smile.
He reaches for the denim and holds her jeans open, ready for her to step into. The sound of the zip closing is loud in the silence of the room. While she ties the button he holds her tee shirt in his hands. Slipping it on, she watches as he pulls out a chair for her to sit down, placing her sneaks and socks on the floor closeby.
When she stands up, laces tied, he hands her a scrunchie he'd found in her bag.
Shrugging, he offered it to her, 'I'm not sure if you want this or not', he said, 'but it was in the bag and you usually wear your hair up with that sweater.'
'Oh, do I now? How very observant of you', she teases as she takes it from his hand and deftly ties her hair back.
Her tummy does another pleasant flip as he leans in close, kisses her once more, holds her for a moment as they recalibrate before they must share each other again. 'I notice everything about you, baby', he tells her before making his way to the door to let the team in.
'Take a seat'.
Joe invites Shawn and Glen to sit at the long table where he and Jill had set the delph. 'You too guys', he said to David and Tony and Sam, indicating the spaces 'we need your input', he says.
Reluctantly they shuffle into the seats, unused to sitting around a table with the president and first lady, far more comfortable in their usual spot, standing directly behind them.
