Prologue- Presidential

"The population has reached over five thousand Mr. President. The Vice President wanted me to inform you that there is a deep need of a supply run, especially with new people arriving every day."

"How is the new building coming along?" I ask, staring out of the huge window in my office.

"Right on schedule Mr. President." My assistant, Melinda, informs me. I don't have to turn around to know that she's staring at her notebook too nervous to look up. It's been almost four years since my inauguration and her hiring, but she's still not comfortable around me.

"Good, Good." I nod and smile, spinning my chair around to face her. "What about the windmill and solar projects?" I question standing up from my giant swivel chair.

"Should be done within the next couple of days, Sir." She looks up at me briefly and smiles.

"Thank you Melinda." I nod once and smile, turning slightly to look out the window again at the hundreds of people buzzing around this wonderful city we've created. "How about you take the rest of the day off?" I tell more than ask my assistant, turning back to face her.

"Oh no sir, we still have to go over the-"

"That's an order, Melinda. Go home, be with your family." I smile as I walk over to her to usher her through the giant wooden doors.

"But sir, I really shouldn't-"

"Nonnegotiable." I insist.

She sighs before dropping her head. "See you tomorrow, sir." She tells me before reluctantly exiting my office. I walk over to my big swivel chair and take a seat, taking in my surroundings. My gaze shifts from the big wooden bookcases on either side of my desk, then to the massive photo above my tall wooden doors with my name and the 45th President of the United States, painted by one of the citizens of this city. A city that I helped build almost from the ground up. I'm not sure if I'll ever get used to all this. When I promised to run for president all those years ago, I honestly never thought we'd get this far. But here we are, a thriving city. I turn my chair to look out at the city. It's beautiful. As I stand, I open the doors to my balcony, looking out over the people. We've grown immensely since my inauguration. A small smile plays at my lips as I think about all the things we've accomplished. Las Vegas, the first place rehabilitated after the apocalypse. It all began here so I guess it's only right to start over here. I close the doors to the balcony, turning around to grab my phone on the desk.

"I'm going to the Vice Presidents house, can I get an escort?"

"Yes sir." The other line says and within minutes two armed guards appear at my office door.

"Mr. President sir." They both stand at attention and make eye contact as I grab my suit jacket. I smile and shake my head. "Glen, Aiden." I turn to look at each respective person. "How many times do I have to tell you two to call me Tim?"

"Sorry sir, it won't happen again." They both reply quickly. I shake my head with a chuckle.

"I mean Tim, sir." Glen tries to correct himself.

"You ready s— Tim?" I smile and nod.

As we pull into the Vice President's driveway my memories overcome me.

–

"My first deed as President of the United States is to name my Vice President." I turn to look at her. When she realizes what I'm about to do, she begins to shake her head.

"Mr. President, don't you dare sir." She shakes her head as she tries to back her way off stage.

"Too late." I smile.

–

"Hello, Madam Vice President." I say with a smirk as I walk into her home office.

"I will never get used to that." She shakes her head and smiles as she wraps her arms around me, giving me a hug.

"Just imagine how I feel." I reply as we both take a seat.

"So what brings you by this afternoon, not that I'm not delighted to see you."

"Nice save." I quip. She shrugs and smiles. "I gave Melinda the rest of the day off. I thought we could discuss the supply run you suggested, and the security detail we have on the perimeter."

"How'd you get Melinda to leave?" She asks with a smile.

"With much coaxing."

"I'm ready for my punishment Madam Vice Presi—OH MY GOD TIM!" Spencer yells before she turns around, closing her robe. I quickly slap my hands over my eyes as I hear Ashley laughing across from me.

"It's so not funny Ashley!" Spencer yells. "Geez! I told you to get a sign that says when you're in a meeting to hang on the door."

"Tim, it's safe to open your eyes." Ashley tells me. I look at her then Spencer.

Spencer clears her throat before pulling the robe tighter around her body. "I'm gonna go and come back a little later. It was nice seeing you Tim."

"It was nice seeing you too, Spencer. I mean you know... not your... um..." I clear my throat and I'm sure my cheeks are red. Yes Spencer is over twenty now but she's like my daughter. This is as awkward for me as it is for her. Trust me. Ashley chuckles again before Spencer awkwardly backs out the room.

"Jason, I'm gonna kill you." We here Spencer yell on the other side of the doors. Jason is Ashley's assistant, so I'm assuming she asked him if Ashley had company. Poor kid, he wasn't at his desk when I arrived. He didn't know.

"Sorry about that Tim, I had no-"

"It's okay." I wave her off. I'm happy for the two of them. I know there had been a ton of ups and downs in their relationship. I'm glad that Ashley makes Spencer happy and vice versa.

"Let's get down to business shall we?" She asks, taking a tablet from her desk. I nod. "The supply run I was speaking of would consist of medical supplies, a few weapons and ammo. Although we haven't had an incident in months, we don't want to take any chances."

"Definitely." I nod. "The hospital is low on supplies already? We just stocked a few months ago."

"No." She shakes her head. "We're mostly in need of anesthetics. Oh and the new dental clinic is a few days from being completed."

"That makes four within the walls."

"Yes sir. Overall Mr. President, things couldn't be better really. The local police precincts haven't reported any major crimes, other than the usual children being children." We both smile. We have over two thousand citizens under the age of nineteen. "Each district is keeping up with their duties and the schools are thriving. However district two is currently in need of two new professors."

"District seven has an abundance, ask the city council to see if any of them want to relocate to district two, offer them a pay raise for the inconvenience." I tell Ashley and she makes a note of it in her tablet.

"I think that's it sir." She tells me and I give her a look. "Tim." She corrects.

"The perimeter?"

"Secure as ever. We haven't had a walker breach in over a year."

"Human?"

"None so far." She shakes her head.

"Good, good." I nod and smile as I stand up from my chair. "I'll get right on gathering a group for the supply run." I tell her, buttoning the top two buttons on my suit jacket.

"Tim I was wondering if it was okay if I-"

"Nope." I shake my head, cutting her off. I already know what she's going to ask, because it wouldn't be the first time. "You're Vice President Ashley. You're no longer a soldier, I need you here." I tell her honestly. If I'm being honest with myself, I'm not sure if this place would have been this successful without the help of Ashley. She may be young but she definitely is wise beyond her years.

"It's been three years since I've seen action Tim, I can't take it anymore." Ashley practically whines.

"The price of being the second most powerful leader of the free world Ashley." I tell her with a raised brow. "See you and Spencer at dinner tomorrow?" I question, walking around the chair. "I'm sure Jo and Francisco would love to see the both of you. It's been ages." I add for good measure.

"You sure do know how to guilt trip a girl, don't ya." She chuckles as she stands up from her chair. "Hopefully Spencer won't be too embarrassed to go." She adds with a wry smile.

"Oh God." I drop my head into my hands, shaking it as I recall the events that lead to Spencer's discomfort and mine.

"She'll get over it." Ashley waves me off. "What time should be there?"

"Let's say eight." I tell her as I make my way over to the door. "Inform your sister that she is more than welcome to come as well, and the Carlins of course." I add before turning to open the door. "Have a good evening Madam Vice President."

"And you Mr. President, sir."

"Your residence or back to the White House sir?" Aiden asks as he and Glen escort me down the stairs to the car. And by White House he means the Palazzo Resort that we have converted into a suitable White House for the time being... until the new one is finished being built. A couple more years and it should be complete. It's an exact replica of the one in Washington D.C.

"I think I'll head home Aiden."

"Yes sir." He says as I'm ushered into the car. As we begin to make our way towards the home I share with my wife and son I can't help but smile at this place we've created.

This new beginning...