The Genius in the Room (An Aaron Shore Story)

5

Ella didn't sleep much that night after Aaron let her alone in her room. When the adrenaline eventually wore off and the realisation that she hadn't slept in 48 hours hit her, her mind drifted to thoughts of the deputy chief of staff.

Ella knew she used work as an excuse last year to put herself off pursuing a relationship with Aaron. She had been hurt before and the last thing she wanted was another failed relationship affecting her ability to do her job.

But now after a year of knowing and spending time with Aaron, she knew he would never hurt her. Although on the outside he looked tough and scary, deep down she knew the real Aaron Shore was kind and caring in more ways that one.

After barely getting 2 hours of broken sleep, Ella rose early the next morning and was grateful for the secret service bringing more of her clothes over from her apartment last night so she could pull on some fresh clothes for what she was sure would be a busy day ahead.

She applied some simple make up and ran a brush through her naturally straight her before getting dressed and heading into the living room area of the White House residence.

There she found her mother staring at the TV screen and the familiar sound of a news anchor spoke out. The news was an ever present background sound throughout the White House as people watched in hope for some news and answers about what happened to their beloved Capitol.

As she finished inserting her earrings into her ears, Ella turned to watch the early morning news to see what the journalists had to say today.

"Congressman Peter MacLeish is the first survivor of the tragic attack that has shaken the nation." The reporter spoke as scenes of the Congressman being placed onto a stretcher and taken towards an ambulance flooded the screen.

"Peter?" Ella gasped in shock.

"They found him in the rubble late last night." Alex explained as she stood up and walked over to her daughter.

"Oh my god." The younger Kirkman woman said as she felt a tear roll down her check.

Peter MacLeish was the reason Ella was alive. It was him who had asked her to take on some urgent work that needed to be done as soon as possible which lead William to ask her to sit out of the SOTU. And although her boss and mentor was still dead, Ella felt some guilt leave her body at the sight of the congressman on the screen knowing he had managed to survive.

"Miss Kirkman, you're to meet the president in the Oval office in 10 minutes." A member of staff spoke as they arrived into the residence.

"Okay. Thanks." Ella replied as she used a tissue to wipe away her tears and took a quick glance in the mirror nearby to ensure she hadn't ruined her make up. "Bye mom."

"Bye Ella." Alex smiled as she watched her daughter leave.

Ella quickly made her way downstairs, towards the Oval office. As she walked through the halls, she heard people talk about Peter and the hope this had given people that those still missing could appear alive soon.

The Kirkman girl arrived inside the Oval office to find Aaron and Seth turning on the president's TV meaning they had only arrived moments before she did.

"Hey." Ella greeted them both as she came to stop between the 2 men with her eyes firmly fixed on the news in front of her.

The two men greeted the president's daughter and Ella could feel Aaron's eyes stare at her from his position next to her but she kept her eyes on the images of Peter MacLeish.

"Sorry. Train's still down." Emily apologised as she entered the room. "Unbelievable, right? He's like a human silver lining."

"Yeah, it's amazing somebody could survive that." Aaron replied.