Executive Orders

CH 24 | Episode 07: Revelations

Fitz gratefully heads back to the Oval after several meetings with not only his joint heads of staff but with several powerful members of Congress in their roles of the heads of various oversight committees. Several subjects had been covered, from concerns over the rising of several domestic, racist terrorists, to the possible nomination of a new Supreme Court justice, to the military and political possibilities - and problems - swirling around the San Collondias situation.

Fitz had agreed to increased surveillance on the ominous proliferation of hate groups, requested several in depth reports on several possible nominees without committing himself to any single endorsement and informed those who had a say in the matter, exactly where he stood on the issue of San Collondias.

He specifically didn't tell them that he had his own plans concerning that situation that he would be tending to before the night was over.

That was only one of the matters that still remained on his plate when the meetings had finally - and thankfully - come to an end.

Knowing that, Fitz sighed gratefully for the few moments of peace that was his as he closed the door of the Oval office behind him.

He crossed the room and took his seat behind the Resolute desk. Fitz closed his eyes for a minute - just to rest them, he told himself. It wasn't as if his job was done. Allowing for differing time zones, Fitz was expecting more than one phone call tonight. But right now, a tiny oasis of peace and quiet was his - and he meant to take full advantage of it.

His first thought was to call Olivia, but he knew that she was probably still just as busy as he was. Before he could make a decision either way, the phone on his desk buzzed.

And so round two begins - he thought. He and Olivia had agreed over dinner, that he should expect at least one unscheduled visit before the night was over. The only the thing they had disagreed on was who that visitor was going to be.

He picked up. "Yes, Lauren?"

"Mr. President, the Vice-president is here asking to see you." There was a carefully unspoken question in her words, asking if he wanted to see her. With reason, Sally wasn't the most popular person in the West Wing; Fitz was touched by Lauren's protectiveness even as he grinned inside.

Livvie, I won the bet. It was a rare occasion when she was wrong and he was right. "Thank you, Lauren. You can show her in - but when my scheduled phone call comes in, don't hesitate to put them through."

"Yes sir." She told him.

"Thank you." He said again. "And thank you for staying late. In fact, I want you to sleep in tomorrow."

"Sir?"

"I don't want to see you until the afternoon. Treat yourself to a nice brunch or something." Another smile came to his face as he remembered how Liv was always chiding him about the people who had to stay late just because he decided to work late. Maybe he'd surprise her soon by arranging some kind of spa day for Lauren, even send a car around to chauffeur her around that. After all, she'd more than earned it working late any time it was called for, without a word of protest, ever.

"Are you sure, Mr. President?"

"I could make it an executive order, if you like." Fitz said, not hiding his amusement.

"That won't be necessary, sir."

"I appreciate that Lauren - I'm sure I'm only allowed a certain amount of them before my opponents start calling me out on it."

She stifled a laugh. "I'm always happy to serve at the pleasure of the president, sir."

"It's not necessarily a pleasure at the moment, but I suppose you ought to show the vice-president in anyway." They ended the phone call, then Fitz stood up to greet Sally as Lauren showed her in.