Executive Orders

CH 78 | Crystal Clear Communications

In spite of his mistake, at least their conversation had ended on a note of love and laughter. That was more than enough to carry Fitz through for the next little while as he set himself back to work. Unfortunately, his mood was abruptly brought back down to earth by an alert from his inter-office intercom.

He pressed the incoming button. "Yes, Lauren?"

"Mr. President, the Vice President is back and is requesting to see you."

By now, the two of them had developed such a good working relationship that Fitz could often read his secretary's meanings beneath her words. This time, he could read the apology in her voice.

Also, her words told Fitz something else; there was a warning in her tone about Sally's mood - and the reminder that there had been an inter-office memo from her office requesting a meeting sometime this morning - at his earliest convenience. It was one he'd deliberately set aside so that he could tend to his daughter.

Well, earlier hadn't been convenient, he thought to himself without a shred of guilt. He can only imagine how Sally was behaving towards Lauren - and was irritated at the thought as to what attitude she was about to bring into the Oval. She's been more and more prickly lately and more of that is the last thing that Fitz needs. But it seems that for today at least, he has no choice but to deal with her. He gave Lauren permission to show Sally in.

Old fashioned courtesy and long habit has him rising from his desk as his vice-president walked in. Fitz studied her carefully, just as carefully as he was sure that Sally was studying him as she tried to gauge his mood.

He pasted a polite smile on his face. "Sally, how are you?"

"Busy, sir - but obviously not as busy as yourself." Disapproval underlaid her words. "I understand that there was a smother order put in place this morning - after my request was submitted to your office."

A smother order was one that blocked all scheduled meetings and calls for a set amount of time. One of the perks of the presidency.

He suddenly heard his daughter's voice again - especially her laughter - in his head as she'd reminded him that what was the point of having the power of the presidency at his fingertips if he didn't get to execute them every once in a while?

That thought made it hard for Fitz to keep a grin from rising to his lips; he hid it by inviting Sally to take a seat, gesturing to the twin sofas. Fitz watched as she primly perched herself on the edge of one sofa before he took his own opposite her.

"I'm sorry, Sally - I was returning a phone call from one of my children, so you can understand where my priorities were."

"As a parent, I totally understand, Mr. President." Sally conceded reluctantly.

Whatever satisfaction he might have felt faded away as her next words proved that he'd unexpectedly given her both the ammunition and the opening she needed to express her opinion.

There were days when Sally had all the tact of a pit-bull and it appeared that this was going to be one of those days.

But now that she had the advantage, she pressed it. "These are such delicate years for children and they do need their parents to guide them through it - both their mother and their father."

Fitz watched warily as Sally settled back, apparently determined to speak her piece.

"Interestingly enough, that was one of the reasons why I wanted to speak with you."

"Was it?" Fitz let a little disapproval color his tone. Just enough to let it be known, but otherwise as neutral as he could manage. He was willing to let Sally show her hand, if she were willing to be so foolish as to make that kind of mistake.