Alanna spent the afternoon at the Holocaust Museum and left there feeling more moved than she had at the Vietnam Memorial. The whole tour had been very sad and depressing but at the same time holy and reverent. Alanna felt strangely proud that she had visited the museum. Why do I keep picking the depressing sites to visit? she wondered to herself.

Alanna stopped back at the White House around around 6 p.m. and found Sam at his computer, typing away. Toby was away from his desk once again.

``What are you working on?'' she asked Sam after they greeted each other.

``Some testimony related to the Carson bill.''

``I've been hearing that name tossed around since I got here. What is it?''

``It's a bill that's going to be introduced by Congressman Carson from New Hampshire when Congress returns after Labor Day. It calls for changes in the tax laws to exempt any family - with an income equal to 125 percent or less of the poverty rate - from paying taxes. We are preparing testimony for Secretary of Treasury to give before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Taxes, which will be the bill's first stop.''

``Hmm. Sounds interesting. You still have almost a week before Congress comes back. Isn't it time to take a break?''

``I know but we just want to be well prepared.''

``I've noticed that.''

``Yeah,'' Sam said, nodding. ``I guess I do need to get some kind of social life, huh?''

``Well, from what I've heard, there is no shortage of women ready to throw themselves at you.''

``What do you mean by that?''

``Well, you told me about Mallory. And Toby mentioned something about a prostitute? What the heck was that about?''

``She's not a prostitute. She's...she was a call girl.''

``So Toby wasn't joking.''

``Well, I can't presume to know what Toby was doing at any given time. But he wasn't making it up, if that's what you mean.''

``And, um, how did you meet her?'' Alanna asked, hoping she wasn't getting too personal.

``I didn't know Laurie was a call girl when we met at a party. We went home together and it wasn't until the next day that I found out.''

``I see.''

``And we decided to be friends. But then the press followed me to Laurie's house on the day she graduated.''

``Uh oh.''

``Yeah. But we are just friends now. That's all.''

``You sound kind of sad about that.''

``I am. Laurie and I really connected. We could have something special.''

``And she's no longer...a working girl?''

``That's right. Now she's employed at a law firm.''

``So then what's stopping you from pursing something more with her?''

``Oh I don't know,'' Sam said sarcastically. ``Let's see, I work for the president of the United States. She's a former call girl. And, oh yeah, I work for the president of the United States.''

``Well, that is certainly something to consider but if she is no longer working in her former profession and you two truly hit it off, then I don't see why you can't pursue the relationship. Does everyone at the White House know?''

``Yes, even the President.''

``Well, then, I think you should go for it.''

``Really? I don't know.''

``Sam, you have to do what makes you happy. Life is too short for regrets.''

Sam thought about that for a minute. ``I think you're right, Alanna. Thanks.''

Alanna left Sam's office and went to find Leo. Just as she arrived in his office, Toby was leaving. He gave her a warm smile and brushed his hand against hers as they passed.

``Hey, Alanna!'' Leo said and got up to hug her.

``Hi, Leo.''

``Have a good day today?''

``Pretty good. I saw the Holocaust Museum.''

``Never been.''

``When would you have time?'' Alanna teased. ``Hey, you gonna have any free time this evening, say for dinner?''

``No, I won't. Sorry about that.''

``That's okay. I kind of figured,'' Alanna said. She put on a disappointed face but inside she was happy Leo was busy. She wanted to spend the evening with Toby again. Of course, Alanna had no idea what time Toby would be free.

She headed back towards Toby office and ran into C.J. in the hallway.

``Oh, good, Alanna. Just the women I wanted to see.''

``Really? Why?''

``Could you walk with me to my office?''

``Sure.''

``I need to talk to you about Toby. Or rather about you and Toby.''

Alanna looked at C.J., a puzzled look on her face.

``What do you mean?'' she asked as they reached C.J.'s office.

``Please, sit down,'' C.J. said, indicating a chair.

``What is this about, C.J.?''

``I need to get to know a little about you.''

``Why?''

``In case there are press inquiries.''

``Press inquiries? About me?''

``Well, you are dating the White House Director of Communications. You may end up in the news and I need to know a bit about you. So tell me, what party are you?''

``What party? C.J. is this really necessary? Can't we deal with this if and when the time comes? Toby is not the president, for goodness sake.''

``Yes, but the press is interested in all the senior staff. They were sniffing around Sam after he became friends with...uh...Laurie. And they would have been all over Leo if his rehab records had ever been made public. We are in the public eye, Alanna, like it or not. And now, so are you.''

``Okay, okay. I get it.''

``So, what party?''

``I think you can probably guess that one, C.J. I'm Leo McGarry's sister and I come from an Irish Catholic family.''

``I don't want to guess, Alanna. I want you to tell me.''

``Democrat.''

``Okay. Where do you live and what is your occupation?''

``I live in New York City and work as a theatre critic for the New York Newsday.''

``Do you live alone?''

``Yes.''

``Are you now or have you ever been married?''

``C.J.!''

``You need to answer, Alanna. I really don't know.''

``I am not married now. I was married once.''

``Really?'' C.J. asked, slipping out of her questioning mode for a moment.

``C.J., can we just finish this?''

``Sure. Who did you marry? When did you marry him and what was the reason for the breakup?''

``I was married to a man named Ronald Weinstein. We got married when I was 20. The marriage ended because Ron died in a car accident two years after we got married.''

``Oh, Alanna, I'm sorry.''

``Just finish, C.J.''

``Do you have any children?''

``Yes. One boy.''

``From your marriage?''

``Yes, C.J.''

``Is there anything in your past that could be embarrassing for the White House, such as drug use, alcoholism, any...um...sexual perversity?''

``Well, why don't you just get to the point, C.J.?'' Alanna said sarcastically.

``I'm sorry. I have to ask. I don't want to be caught in a surprise.''

``Right.''

``So, any skeletons in your closet?''

``No drug use, except some marijuana in high school. No alcoholism. No sexual perversity, although I resent being asked.''

``Nothing else that could come up? Protests or flag burning? Satanic worship?''

Alanna thought for a minute. ``Well, I'm not sure.''

``What? Tell me. Even if you're not sure. It can't hurt for me to know.''

``It can't hurt you, you mean.''

``I'm sorry. You know what I mean.''

``In high school, before I met Ron, I dated another boy for a couple of years. I got pregnant. I had an abortion.''

C.J. looked relieved. ``We support choice, so that is not going to be a problem.''

``I'm so glad you're relieved,'' Alanna bit out. She stood up. ``Are we done here?''

``Yes, and I'm sorry that this made you feel uncomfortable. We just have to be prepared.''

Alanna strode out of C.J.'s office and down to the communications bullpen. She saw Toby sitting at his desk as she approached his office. He smiled when he saw her.

``Hi,'' Alanna greeted him.

``Hi,'' Toby said, smiling.

``Are you working late tonight?''

``I think I can sneak out a little early,'' he said and lowered his voice a bit. ``For you.''

``Oh good. I was hoping you could. Should we meet somewhere?''

Toby nodded and stood up. He walked toward her and lifted her hand. He placed a key in her palm. ``How about my place around 9?''

``Is this your key?'' she asked, sounding surprised.

``It's a copy for you to keep.''

Alanna's heart leapt in her chest. A key to Toby's that she could keep! She wanted to shout for joy and jump into his arms. But she just smiled and kissed him gently on the cheek.

``I'll be there,'' she whispered before leaving. She felt like a teenager as she strolled out of the building.