AN: Hello all! If you have been reading Quiet Pain, you know i've been working on an AU-ish fic for a while. This is it. It's not100% done yet; although I have a solid 4-5 chapters written. I had intended to finish before posting; so that you aren't hanging too long between chapters. I sent the fic to Adi & Jessi a while ago to read to see if it was interesting enough - and they have been begging me to post it ever since. So even though it's not 100% complete just yet, I am hoping you all like it as much. Please please leave your thoughts! They always make me so happy. And Happy July 4th everyone!

Chapter 1

Henry McCord straightened his tie in the mirror and tossed on his suit jacket. Nervous didn't begin to describe how he felt about today.

"Dad!" His fifteen year old daughter, Allison called from the hallway. "Hurry up. I'm going to be late for school."

"Coming noodle." He promised realizing he didn't have more time to scrutinize himself in the mirror and that his appearance would have to do.

"Wow Dad, you look extra nice today. Big meeting or something?"

"Yes." He said as he navigated the Jeep through the busy DC traffic.

"Oh yea, you are meeting the Secretary of State right?"

"Yes, Allison."

"That's so cool. I saw her interview on TV last week. I love her style. I bet she's even prettier in person. Can you maybe get an insight quote for me? I would so love to write about her in my next column. It would be the perfect tie in for career week, you know professional attire?"

"Sure Noodle, I'll be sure to ask her where she bought her dress as we discuss DIA business." Henry laughed.

"Well. Try if you can Dad. Have a good day, I love you." Allison said as she got out of the car.

Henry kissed his daughter's cheek as she got out of the car and smiled. Allison was right about one thing, that he could confirm for her article – she was beautiful and was more beautiful in person than on TV. Although she looked pretty amazing on TV too.

It was going to be an interesting day.

Elizabeth sucked in a breath, preparing herself for another busy day as the elevator climbed to the seventh floor of the James Madison building. The doors opened, revealing her staff waiting for her; it was becoming more of a regular occurrence these days.

"Good morning." She said flatly, always insisting upon beginning the day with pleasantries regardless of what disaster was impending. "Another elevator ambush kind of day I see," she mulled, wondering what was about to be thrown at her.

"Good Morning M'am." Nadine replied as Blake took the secretary's coat and coffee mug. Nadine began to run through the schedule as they walked to her office. "You have a very full day. Waiting in the conference room right now is a Henry McCord….he's from-"

"Who?" Elizabeth stopped, surprised, even stunned perhaps. Those words were the last thing she ever expected to hear from her chief of staff's mouth. She hadn't heard that name out loud in years and now he was in her building, right now – waiting to see her?

"A Henry McCord." Nadine repeated, looking at her file. "He's a world renowned religious scholar from Georgetown. He is also consulting for the defense department on some advanced aircraft technology…."

She nodded along as Nadine spoke, anxiously waiting for the point. "Why am I meeting with him then?" she interrupted suddenly, trying to control her demeanor.

"The order came from Russell Jackson's office, m'am."

"I see." She said, a million thoughts running through her mind. How was he doing? Was he married? Happy? Kids? Still attractive? She'd dabbled with these thoughts over the years, always trying to prevent herself from wondering what might have been. Instead, she'd re-direct her thoughts about her broken heart and focused on her own marriage and children. Her only connection to Henry was an old box of photographs and mementos hidden deep in her closet and his collection of books displayed in her vast bookshelf.

When she came across his first book at the faculty bookstore while selecting texts for her students – she paused. She debated not reading it. But curiosity got the better of her and she bought it, finding secret time away from her family to read it. She'd somehow bought a copy of each of his texts he published. As she read them she imagined the words coming from his mouth in his smooth, kind voice as if he was reading to her. Each time she read one, she'd have to fight the urge to contact him. She'd contemplated looking him up, more than once over the years, and it wouldn't have been hard with her CIA clearance, but she never did. She'd wondered what it would be like if they ever crossed paths. And today, it seemed fate had finally caught up to her and arranged a meeting.

"Following this, you have the Global Climate Luncheon. After lunch, a meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister. Then Matt needs to review your remarks for the press conference tomorrow and then you have Jason's parent teacher conferences at 4pm." Nadine went on.

Nadine could tell something was off. She made note of her boss' reaction when she mentioned Henry McCord and she'd been nodding, half listening, and going through the motions ever since. The secretary never ceased to amaze Nadine with her rolodex of contacts; she was a well-connected woman. It was obvious she knew him, or at least knew of him. But what truly peaked her curiosity was why this meeting seemed to surprise her and throw her. Not many people had the ability to knock the secretary off her game, but Henry McCord somehow had the ability to do so, just by the brief mention of his name.

"Ready M'am?" Nadine asked after a moment.

As she prepared herself to walk into the conference room, she wondered what Henry was thinking. Surely he had known of the upcoming meeting at least a few days in advance. Did he try to get out of it, or did he really did want to see her? Despite the fact that everything in her head told her this was a bad idea, her heart was curious and she secretly hoped it was the latter. "Ready." She said, mustering her best professional demeanor as Nadine opened the doors.

Upon her entrance the small group of people rose, ready to shake her hand. Jay stood beside them and introduced each. "Madam Secretary, please meet Jane Fellows – special agent with the DIA."

"Nice to meet you." Elizabeth said politely, shaking her hand.

"And Jose Campos."

Again Elizabeth smiled and shook the man's hand. Then she locked eyes with Henry McCord, for the first time in over 20 years. "And Dr. Henry McCord." Jay introduced, gesturing with his hand.

Elizabeth smiled, taking his offered hand. She instantly felt the sparks when they touched and her breath caught in her throat.

"It's very nice to meet you." Henry smiled politely, raising his eyebrows. She appreciated his professionalism in not letting on to her staff that he had known her.

"You as well Dr. McCord. Thank you for coming in to brief me personally on this matter." She managed, following his lead of anonymity, still unable to ignore the sparks she felt.

She gracefully smoothed her black pencil skirt as she sat and elegantly crossed her legs, settling back into her chair. Henry carefully observed her every move; her mannerisms were as he remembered. Blake placed her cup of coffee and she and she lifted it to her lips for a sip before setting it down and fingering the edge of the white porcelain.

Henry began to speak. His voice was like butter, so calm and soothing, but it reflected the passion he felt about his work. It was exactly how she remembered him speaking in college when she'd snuck into his classroom to listen to him give lectures as a TA. She could listen to talk to him all day about anything. She tried her best to focus on what he was saying, but she was distracted by his features – all of which were more handsome than she remembered. Time seemed to have treated him well.

Henry began to lose his train of thought as he spoke, mesmerized by the Elizabeth's beauty. Sure he knew she was beautiful, she always was. And she was more beautiful than ever now. He was aware of this, he'd seen photos of her in the papers and on TV, but in person she was absolutely mesmerizing. He wondered if his first hand opinion would be good enough for Allison's article. Luckily Jane stepped in and continued to speak as he uncharacteristically stumbled on his words. Henry was grateful that he was no longer making a fool of himself, and he could let his mind wander and observe Elizabeth. While Elizabeth was grateful she could focus on Jane and the task at hand; comprehending the issues responding appropriately. As Jane spoke, Nadine and Jay glanced at one another – noticing the trance their boss and the mysterious Dr. McCord seemed to be in every time their eyes met.

"Dr. McCord likes you, you know." Nadine said dryly as they sat in her office reviewing something later that day. The pair had quickly formed a friendship when she took office. The secretary had given her the nudge to Glenn, and she figured she should return the favor.

"He doesn't." she insisted too quickly, looking down at her file trying to cover the flush on her cheeks.

"I noticed he wasn't wearing a ring." Nadine pushed further. Elizabeth's spy skills had rubbed off.

"I noticed as well." Elizabeth confirmed, but gave her nothing further.

"Secretary Adams office." Blake answered the phone in his usual tone.

"Hi. This is Dr. Henry McCord, I was there earlier meeting with the Secretary. I was wondering if you could help me set up a follow up meeting for later this week." Henry managed to say.

"I'm sorry, the Secretary did not instruct me to set up a follow up."

"I understand. But is there any way she has 20 minutes later this week…."

"I'm sorry her calendar is full."

"Secretary Adams office."

"Hello Mr. Moran. It's Henry McCord again. I was just calling to see if there was any time that opened up in the Secretary's schedule."

"I'm sorry. Dr. McCord I don't mean to be rude – but she did not ask for a follow up meeting, so I simply cannot add you to the schedule."

"Secretary Adams office."

"It's Dr. McCord again. Mr. Moran, I know I am asking a lot here and I understand the Secretary is very busy, but it's very important I see her. If you could please just check one…."

"Dr. McCord. I'd really like to help you. But her calendar is full."

"I understand. But can you maybe just ask her if she ….."

Blake sighed. This guy was not letting up. Against his better judgement he said, "Alright, I will ask."

"Thank you Mr. Moran, I really appreciate it."

2 days after the meeting

Blake entered the Secretary's office to find Jay and Nadine sitting on the couch opposite Elizabeth, deep in discussion.

"M'am." He asked, prepared to brief her on this list of meeting requests that came through to see if they should make it on the schedule next week. The secretary be-grudgingly approved of many of the meetings, and some she delegated to others on the team.

"One more thing M'am….Henry McCord – that DIA guy that was here earlier this week….he has called numerous times requesting a meeting. I can continue to brush him off if –"

Elizabeth froze for a moment. He'd been trying to contact her for two days and she was JUST finding out about it? She'd have to have a private word with Blake about that. She had quietly been hoping he would call after they both squeezed their hands tighter than necessary when they said goodbye during their brief meeting, but after two days she'd given up hope. "No Blake, please set something up."

"But M'am…." Blake said, surprised she was agreeing, as there were no further action items from the meeting to his knowledge.

"Set it up Blake. Move my schedule if you have to." She insisted. She wasn't sure why she suddenly had the urge to see him again. She wasn't sure what she expected to get out of the meeting or what she would even say. All she knew was she had see him again.

Blake gave in. "Yes, M'am."

Nadine and Jay shared a glance as they left the room.