Alanna decided to leave the West Wing and spend the day in a few of the Smithsonian Museums. I have had enough abuse for one day. She spent the late morning at the Museum of American History, at lunch and then headed over to the Air and Space Museum.

She called Sam late in the afternoon to gauge Toby's mood. ``Should I call him yet?''

``I don't know, Alanna. He hasn't been very chatty with anyone today.''

``Then stopping by would probably be a really bad idea.''

``Yeah, I think so.''

``Okay, thanks.''

Alanna called Jenny, who invited her over. She told Jenny about the confrontation with Leo and the fight with Toby.

``Well, I wouldn't worry about Leo. But you need to deal with Toby. He's had time enough to stew. You should go talk to him.''

``Should I go to the White House or wait for him at his place?''

``Hmm. Well, you never know what time he'll get home. But I guess talking to him at home is the better of the two options.''

Alanna arrived at Toby's apartment at 10 p.m. but there were no lights on. She let herself in and watched a little television. She waited up for him until 1 a.m. and then decided to go to bed.

Alanna was dreaming about falling when Toby woke her up with a touch of his hand. She instinctively grabbed onto him to stop her fall. When she was fully awake, she took her hand away and apologized. ``Sorry, I was dreaming I was falling.''

``It's okay,'' he said quietly. He was looking at her intently. ``I'm glad you're here.''

Alanna sat up. ``I'm glad. I wasn't sure if I should come here.''

``I didn't expect to find you here. But I am awfully relieved you are,'' he said, his voice catching in his throat.

Toby sighed and cleared his throat. ``That fight we had earlier, it was stupid. I, uh, know that now.''

``Oh, Toby, what did you think? That I wasn't going to come back because of one fight?''

``I really didn't know,'' he whispered, his voice close to breaking.

``Come here,'' Alanna said, kneeling and pulled Toby into an embrace. ``You know what you need? A nice hot bath. I'll wash your back,'' she said, smiling.

Alanna ran the bath and Toby slipped into the steaming water, letting out a sigh of relief. ``Feels good,'' he said as Alanna ran a washcloth over his back.

``Would you like a drink while you soak?''

``Yeah, that would be great. Scotch on the rocks.''

Twenty minutes later, Alanna handed him a Terrycloth robe as he stepped out of the tub. Toby looked at Alanna, his eyes speaking volumes.

Alanna felt a lump in her throat at she saw the naked emotions on his face. ``You know, Toby, I'm here with you until you say `go.' I know a good man when I feel him in my heart.''

Toby pulled Alanna into an embrace and kissed her.

--end--