(about 2.5 years before the Capitol bombing)

It's a random Wednesday morning, and it's your turn to sit with the newbies in the tech office, walking the four of them through the forms necessary to receive their government-issued phones. It's a mind-numbing job - probably why you're the one stuck with it - and you stifle your third yawn of the day.

It's 9:30am.

At 9:32, you're attempting to hold back your fourth yawn, when the door to the room opens. A thin dark-haired breeze of a girl slips in.

You frown and get up from your seat to block her path. Your office is usually very one top of staff, and as far as you know, there aren't any more West-Wingers starting today, other than the four you're already babysitting. "Are you the new chef's assistant?"

She turns around - wow, she's really pretty - and smiles back at you. "No, I'm actually starting in Weaver Federal today. Department of Housing and Urban Development."

"I didn't realize interns get government tech." You don't really mean to poke fun, but she looks really young and it slips out before you can stop it.

The breeze turns into a hurricane - fascinating, beautiful, and angry. "Emily Rhodes. New assistant Chief of Staff to the HUD Secretary. You are...?" She manages to look down at him while looking up to meet his eyes.

"Aaron Shore. Third Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the United States. Pleasure to meet you. Don't you need a high school diploma for that job?" This Emily looks really young, and you can't resist stirring the winds a little more.

She tosses her hair back, sighs, and then lightning joins the storm. "I'm in Washington to work and to make a difference to the nation, not to argue with an undersecretary in the tech room about my age. So I'd appreciate if you'd let you me do what I came here for."

That much fire is impressive from such a slight person. You step back to let her pass to the tech desk, and make a mental note to keep an eye on her career. She'll be going places.

You're promoted.

Every time you meet Emily in the White House hallways or at the Weaver offices, the storm continues -

"Who let you in? School groups are only allowed on Tuesdays -"

"Aren't you in the wrong hallway? Kitchen's down there -"

"Don't interns have to wear their ID tags at all time in this building? -"

"Oops, sorry, didn't see you there. You're under my line of vision -"

"Tourists must stay with their groups to avoid arrest -"

"Here to turn in your tech? -"

She's promoted quickly, just like you predicted to yourself.

"Good thing it's Tuesday. Otherwise you couldn't be here -"

"You might want to step back before I grill you with my burgers -"

"That only applies if you're not up-to-date on the rules. Guess you're behind the times -"

"Seriously, is that your best? Thought you were sharper -"

"Then why are you wandering around the halls alone? -"

"No, I'm here to take over your position -"

Usually accompanied by flashing eyes and a blazing fire that you kind of enjoy fueling. Your coworkers find your little game amusing and slightly childish, but you can't stop yourself around her.

You're promoted again.