A/N: So recently I've developed a bad habit of starting fics and being bad at updating. But I like this one. But I've liked my other ones as well. You've been warned I guess. Feedback always welcome and encouraged!

"The first female president in the history of the United States is being sworn in on the steps of the Capitol today, January 20th, 2033..."

"I, Brittany Susan Pierce, do solemnly swear

"You know Tom, I honestly just don't know what this country was thinking when they went to the polls..."

"that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability,

"She is the game changer this country has needed for a long time. She is a woman of the people. She's devoted her whole life to this, and I've never seen a politician who cares more about the welfare of their constituents..."

"preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

The first week was a whirlwind, to put it mildly. People she'd never met, but who'd been appointed by people she trusted, briefed her on things. On everything. Her eyes watered from all the papers she read while people explained what was written on them. She noticed the bags under her eyes when she looked up in the mirror once while washing her hands, and so did the make up artist she'd been given. Because that's not sexist at all, she thought to herself as the woman had made it look like she hadn't only gotten four hours of sleep the night before.

She didn't get a chance to breath until the second week, when she remembered that she's the freaking President of the United States.

"I'm going out for lunch," she said to no one in particular as she looked up from the papers on her desk in the Oval Office. She wished she could go with Artie, her closest friend, long time ex-boyfriend, and Vice President, but he was already traveling, making a circuit around military bases across the country and speaking with troops.

Instead, she called up for her car and asked to be taken to a good burger joint. Soon after she was being seated in a back booth at a fancy steakhouse near the Capitol. Two Secret Service guards stood nearby, silent and alert. The restaurant was relatively quiet as it was already past the lunch rush. Brittany smiled sweetly at her waiter as he nearly tripped over himself bringing her a glass of water.

"Are you ready to order, M-Madame President?"

She didn't think she'd ever get sick of hearing that.

"Gimme a few more minutes?"

He nodded furiously before heading back to the kitchen.

As Brittany read over the menu, she got lost in a myriad of memories. She remembered running for senior class president in her high school. Her high school where she'd been teased repeatedly. It always goes like that, she smiled to herself. Everyone's always bullied. She remembered winning, the overwhelming sensation of joy at her victory and the thrill she got from the speeches, however short they might have been. The thrill she got from seeing her programs put into action, and from her fellow classmates asking her to do things, however impossible they may have been to achieve. Like canceling classes on Fridays.

She remembered going to community college because she (and her parents) couldn't afford anything else. She remembered staying in touch with Artie while he was off at Harvard, talking about everything from the latest Lima gossip to new policies getting stalled in Congress. She remembered her parents trying to talk her out of running for city council, saying as gently as they could that it was much different than high school government, and that shouldn't she focus on school? Brittany had argued that that was what she was in school for, majoring in political science wasn't just for kicks. She remembered going red in the face as she explained how Lima could be better than it was now, and she wanted to be the one to make that change. Or to at least fight for it.

Brittany focused back on her menu. She was a long way from Lima now, and it was incredible and terrifying at once. Every move she made weighed ten times heavier; every word analyzed to the nth degree. When her waiter came back she ordered a cheeseburger and fries. She sipped her water while she waited, studying the Secret Service. The men who were trained to take bullets for her, to die for her – the first female President of the United States.

She tried to wrap her head around it. The first female president, and now the newest target of radio hacks and journalists everywhere. A plaything for every conservative news anchor from New York to California. Brittany licked her lips. She'd already endured years of criticism, what was another four more? Eight, if she was feeling cocky.

Brittany smiled as the waiter returned with her food. She didn't have breakfast that morning and her stomach grumbled at the smell of her burger. She poured some ketchup onto the side of her plate and dug in, mouth watering.

As she ate, she relived all the negative soundbites or articles that had ever been published about her. Criticisms of her political style, her positions on hot button topics, her personal life, and everything in between. She couldn't help but think of them now. No matter how much she tried to brush them off, her critics' harsh words still hurt. Her physical features were always a popular topic, because besides for being the first female president, she was also the first one with any sort of sex appeal. Sure, there had been handsome presidents, but apparently nothing caught people's attention like a slender blonde woman with blue eyes trying to make a name for herself in the political arena. As a Senator, she'd been asked, whether seriously or not she wasn't sure, to pose for more magazines than just Time.

And sure, all that body talk was technically positive because they were "approving", but she did her best to remind the population that she was a politician, working for their best interest, and not a sex symbol for their entertainment. The last thing she wanted was for all of her hard work to be negated by people who could only focus on her body.

Her relationship with her VP was also a much talked about issue. They had dated, way back in high school, and they had released that tidbit as early as they could into their campaign. Rumors had flown after that, but her campaign managers were cool and honest in their handling of the story, and it didn't seem to hurt them. It may have even won them some of the younger voters, excited for potential drama between exes on a political level. Since then, Brittany hadn't dated anyone else. She was simply too busy with her career for dating, and her single status was also always under the microscope.

Brittany shook her head as she chewed a couple of french fries. Everything she did, every move.

As she finished up her burger, she motioned for the waiter to bring her the check. She sat back in her seat, sighing with satisfaction. She had wanted Artie's company, but she found the peace and quiet of a solitary meal had been just what she needed.

"Madame President?" An unfamiliar voice addressed her. The Secret Service agents put themselves between Brittany and the woman who had approached her table. The woman looked right past the guards as she spoke.

"Senator Lopez. Sorry if I'm interrupting, it's just that when the newly minted President tries to sneak a quiet lunch near the Capitol, everyone's talking about in the next two seconds."

Brittany smiled and nodded for the Secret Service to ease off as she stood up. The men remained ridiculously close, but now the politicians stood face to face, and Brittany offered her hand.

"Guess it's silly for me to expect anything else, huh?" She asked as they shook hands.

The senator smiled and shrugged. "Hopefully I'll be the only one to bother you."

"It's not a bother," Brittany said as she took the check from her waiter and pulled a twenty from her wallet clip in the pocket of her pantsuit. Brittany meant it too; she couldn't help but appreciate the senator's tan skin, the silky black hair that fell to her shoulders, and her deep brown eyes. She chastised herself for managing to sexualize a fellow female politician within seconds of meeting her, just like people did to her all the time.

"You look familiar," Brittany said, half to herself as her eyes narrowed a little. "You're from New York, right?" Senator Lopez nodded. "Oh, you headed that marriage equality amendment. You got a lot of heat for that, I remember."

The senator nodded some more. "That's right. I'm honored you recognize me," she flushed with what one might mistake for embarrassment, but Brittany recognized it for what it was right away – pride.

"Yes, I voted in favor of it."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Brittany's phone beeped in her other pocket. She had been issued a custom made, secure Blackberry that would only unlock to her fingerprint recognition and then an encrypted password. Senator Lopez looked down at Brittany's pocket, and Brittany couldn't help but feel as if she'd also gotten partially checked out along the way.

"Well, I'll get out of your hair now. Just couldn't help myself and wanted to rub shoulders with the first woman president. And let you know that I voted for you."

"You're not just saying that to kiss my ass now that I'm in office, are you?" Brittany asked with a smirk as she pulled her phone from her pocket.

Senator Lopez returned the smirk. "President Pierce, do I look like an ass kisser to you?"

Brittany could only chuckle as she watched the woman walk away. She tapped the screen on her Blackberry until she reached the message from the White House. It was her Chief of Staff asking her if she'd be back for her next meeting or if it had to be rescheduled. Brittany figured it'd just be best to head back rather then text a response.

She and the Secret Service agents made their way outside to where her car waited. The men followed standard procedure, making sure the short path from steakhouse to car was secure before Brittany was escorted to the back seat.

She savored the quiet car ride back to the White House knowing things would be hectic again the second she got back; her exchange with Senator Lopez still fresh on her mind as the car made its way through D.C.'s crowded streets.