Toby arrived at the office early the next morning. Despite the amount of alcohol he consumed, he had difficulty sleeping. He woke up several times and each time, Alanna was on his mind. He remembered the sweet kiss she gave him last night and wondered if she was just being nice. Toby could not figure her out. One minute she was flirting with Sam. The next minute, she's kissing me on the cheek. What gives?

When Toby walked down the corridor to his office, he saw Sam and Alanna standing in the hallway wearing athletic clothes.

``Hey, Toby. You're here early. I thought for sure you'd have a hangover.''

Toby didn't say a word.

``Alanna has talked me into a morning run. Wanna join us?''

``No,'' Toby said and walked into his office.

He didn't even look at me, Alanna thought. We were getting along so well last night and now he acts like I don't exist. What is up with him?

``Okay, then. Let's go, Alanna,'' Sam said and took off down the corridor.

When the runners arrived back at the office, Kathy, Ginger and Bonnie were working frantically, a frightened look on their faces.

``What's going on?'' Sam asked.

The women shook their heads.

``Toby's on the warpath again,'' he said and abruptly left Alanna standing there so he could shower and change.

Alanna went to Leo's office. He greeted her warmly but brushed her off with his usual, ``too much work'' routine. She decided to leave the unpleasantness behind and walk about Washington. When she strode past Toby and Sam's office, she heard Toby yelling at someone but she couldn't see who.

Alanna took a quick shower at the White House gym and then changed into a sundress and sandals. She wandered downtown and into the Ford's Theatre and sat through its presentation. Then she took the Metro over to the Capitol and walked through the corridors. She found the underground subway and took it over to the House Office Buildings. During her wanderings, Toby's face stayed with her. She remembered the way he had looked last night when he talked - so briefly - about his Dad. He had had big, brown puppy dog eyes. Alanna had a strong urge to help him in some way. Why does he have to be so aloof? What is hiding under all that armor?

Then Alanna reminded herself that the mystery was part of his charm.

As she walked back to the office, Alanna found herself suddenly irritated with Leo. What good is vacationing near my brother if I have to do everything alone? Alanna understood the demands of his job; she had been prepared to have very little time with him. But after talking to Sam about August being the slow time, Alanna decided that Leo was holding out on her.

She went straight to Leo's office when she got back.

``Leo, I have a bone to pick with you.''

Leo looked up from his desk. ``Oh Alanna. Hi. What is it?''

``You've been ignoring me this whole trip. It's time to take a damn break.''

``But I...''

``No! I am not going to hear any more excuses. You are going to take the afternoon off and spend time with me. Sam told me that August is the slowest time of the year for you guys. If you can't take an afternoon now, then you never will.''

Leo threw his hands up in surrender. ``Okay, you win. One afternoon,'' he said, walking out of his office. ``Margaret, I'm taking the afternoon off to spend with my sister.''

``Margaret, close your mouth or you'll be catching flies,'' Leo remarked.

They took a car to Glen Echo, an old amusement park that now an historical site. It had a working carousel so they took a few rides on it.

``I can't believe you talked me into riding on a carousel!" Leo exclaimed.

``Well, it's about time you had some fun. Remember when you used to take me to the amusement park when I was a kid?''

``Yes, I do. You were a pain in the ass. I couldn't get you out of there for at least three hours.''

``Oh you had fun, too.''

``Believe me when I tell you there were other things I wanted to do more. I was in my early 20s when you were in elementary school. Hanging out with my baby sister was not exactly making me look good with the girls.''

``Oh you'd be surprised how many girls go for the caring, older brother bit.''

Leo laughed aloud and realized how long it was since he and Alanna had spent any time together. They ate sandwiches in the park and then went to Arlington to see the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Later, they went back to Washington and had an early dinner at Polo India on DuPont Circle. It was one of Leo's favorite but he did not often get up there.

``Thanks for taking the time for me today, Leo. It's been fun.''

``Yes, it has. Now, will you stop making me feel guilty and let me get back to work?''

``I guess I can do that.''

``You coming back to the office after dinner or going straight home?''

``I guess I'll go back with you. Say hi and bye to everyone. Then I am going to meet Jenny. We're going to see a show at the Kennedy Center tonight.''

After walking Leo to his office, Alanna headed down the corridor to see if Toby's mood had improved. She ran into Sam near the conference room.

``Hey, Alanna. I heard Leo took the day off for you. How was that?''

``Great, thanks. How are things around here?''

``Just a tad calmer than when you left.''

``Toby's still rampaging?''

Sam shook his head. ``He's in a meeting with some idiots from the House Education Subcommittee.

``Any way I could go watch?'' Alanna said, smiling mischievously.

``Wow, that is such a bad idea that I'm going to refrain from even commenting on it.''

``Oh please? I just want to see him working.''

``No.''

``Just tell me where and I will take sole responsibility.''

``Alanna,'' Sam said in a warning tone.

``Sam, come on.''

Sam took a deep breath. ``Conference room. Around the corner to the left and down the hall. You can't miss it.''

``Thanks.''

Alanna walked down the corridor slowly until she caught sight of Toby through the glass doors. She could see his profile as he sat there. Alanna found a little nook in a deep doorway where she could watch without being detected. She couldn't hear anything because the doors were closed but she could see Toby looking at the two staffers, his cheek resting on his hand. He was listening as that staffers ranted.

As one of the staffers, a red-haired fellow with freckles and a tall, bony frame, became more animated, Toby sat up suddenly and interrupted. He began arguing with ``Red'' and Alanna watched as his whole body became rigid. Toby was making his argument point by point, but he wasn't yelling. He wouldn't let ``Red'' or the other staffer, a blond woman, get a word in edgewise. His brown eyes were flashing with indignation. Oh what I wouldn't give to hear what he is saying, she thought.

By the time Toby had finished, Red and Blondie looked defeated, like a balloon that had popped. Toby stood up and calmly walked out of the room. Alanna pressed herself up against the wall, her heart pounding. Toby walked by without seeing her. She watched until he turned the corner, then she came out of her hiding place.

During the concert at the Kennedy Center, Alanna could not get her mind off of Toby. She kept thinking about his sparkling eyes, his sexy voice and the way he walked so confidently down the hall after that meeting. She wanted to get to know him better. Maybe I could ask him to have dinner, she thought. I have to stop wasting time. What's the worst he can do? Say no?