"Brian," Geoffrey said rushing into the mayor's office.

"What?' Brian demanded. He was in the middle of reading another fucking report and didn't appreciate being interrupted. It was uncharacteristic of Geoffrey to enter without knocking, now that he thought about it. "What's got your panties in a twist?"

"I just received two notifications," he said rather breathlessly.

"Did you now? And this is important because…?" Brian asked holding out one hand palm up. Geoffrey must get hundreds of notifications a week. Brian wondered what had him so riled up.

"One's from the President," he said.

"President of what?"

"Of the United States!"

"Are you shitting me?" Brian asked.

"No," Geoffrey said slightly offended that Brian would think he would make up something like that. "He's coming here in two weeks to campaign."

"Shit!" Brian reacted. "What does that mean for the city … and us?"

"Major disruptions."

"Don't they take care of the crap surrounding a visit like that themselves?"

"Most of it. You know, secret service and all that stuff."

"So what do we have to do?"

"Secure the venues and make sure that we have police available to augment the feds and to deal with traffic, et cetera."

"Traffic?" Brian asked.

"Oh, they'll expect streets to be blocked off for the motorcade and a perimeter sealed off around the rally point."

"Christ, can't we just tell him to go to some other unsuspecting city like … Philadelphia."

Geoffrey actually laughed out loud at that.

"What's so fucking funny?" Brian asked.

"They'll only be here for a couple of hours. And guess where they go for the rest of the day?"

"Philadelphia," Brian said with a smirk.

"Right," Geoffrey chuckled.

"Poor assholes."

"So we need to start planning this out," Geoffrey said seriously.

"When is this extravaganza supposed to take place again?"

"Two weeks, a Wednesday morning."

"Shit! That's not much time."

"We can do it," said the ever confident Geoffrey.

"Just exactly what will 'we' have to do?" Brian asked suddenly wary.

"I'll notify all the pertinent agencies, police, fire."

"And?"

"And you just have to greet the President when he arrives."

"Greet him? I can't stand the son of a bitch."

"It's traditional," Geoffrey said solemnly. "And the mayor's wife should accompany him," Geoffrey added with an evil glint in his eye.

"Wife?" Brian asked looking at Geoffrey. "Are you implying that I should take Justin with me?"

"Sweet retribution, wouldn't you say?"

"Jesus, Geoffrey, remind me never to get on your bad side. I love it!" Brian stated suddenly seeing some very satisfying moments when he could make Bush want to crawl under a rock. Brian wondered how it would play out in the media when the self-righteous anti-gay President was forced to shake the hand of the openly gay mayor of Pittsburgh and his homosexual partner. Brian smiled. Better yet would be if the asshole refused to shake his hand. That would be all over the press. "That is going to be an extremely interesting day," Brian added. The more he thought about it, the more he liked how this scenario would play out. It would be a win-win situation for him and a lose-lose one for the President. He could hardly wait to tell Justin.

"Do you want to hear the other notification I got this morning?" Geoffrey asked.

Brian wondered what could possibly measure up to the previous announcement. "I know you're going to tell me anyway, so just spit it out."

"Kerry's coming the same day."

Brian almost choked. "The Kerry who's running for President?" he managed to croak out."

"The very same."

"Holy shit!" Brian reacted.

"That's what I thought when the two messages came in within minutes of each other."

"And he's coming the same day as Bush?"

"That's right. He'll be here about an hour after the President arrives."

"This is going to be a nightmare," Brian said shaking his head. He couldn't fathom the logistics of having both men in the city at the same time.

"There's every possibility," Geoffrey admitted. "But we'll try to make it work. With a little luck maybe we can get everything to run smoothly."

"Don't you mean with a lot of luck?" Geoffrey chuckled. "Do I get to meet Kerry too?" Brian asked.

"I think we could schedule that," Geoffrey said seriously.

"And Justin?"

"If you want."

"I want."

"Any particular reason?"

"It might help me decide who to vote for in November," Brian smirked.

Geoffrey almost choked at that statement until he realized that Brian was putting him on.

"Kidding, Geoffrey, kidding!"

"I should damn well hope so."

-----

Two weeks later the mayor's limousine pulled up outside the baseball field at Schenley Park, adjacent to Carnegie Mellon University. This was the site of President Bush's speech and rally in Pittsburgh. Brian and Justin exited the car after Chuck had held the door open for them. Secret service men moved in immediately to verify who they were and give them access to the makeshift stage from which the President would speak.

They had been informed that the President's plane had landed and he was on his way before they left the mayor's office. Justin had gone to work with Brian not wanting to be late or run the risk of something preventing him from getting to the big event.

"Do I look okay?" Justin asked adjusting his tie.

"You always look great," Brian replied.

Justin smiled at him. "That was nice, Brian," he said. "But I know you're the one who always looks great."

"And together we look spectacular," Brian said leaning in to give Justin a quick kiss. Someone cleared his throat behind them. "Yes?" Brian said turning to the secret service agent who had made the noise. The man looked disapprovingly at them. "Is there a problem?" Brian asked staring down the man.

"I would advise you not to do any of that when the President is here," the man said his steely eyes never leaving Brian's.

"Any of what?" Brian asked innocently. Justin could feel the tension in Brian's body as he stood close to him.

"Kissing or whatever you … guys call it."

"Us 'guys' call it kissing just like all you 'guys' do!" Brian spat out.

"Well, whatever it was, don't do it in front of the President … or behind him for that matter," the secret service man answered.

Brian knew he was referring to the time they would be on the stage with Bush. "And just what would happen if I did?" Brian asked defiantly.

"Believe me; you don't want to find out."

Justin squeezed Brian's hand knowing the man was about ready to explode. Brian hated to be told what to do especially something like this. "Brian," Justin cautioned.

"That sounded like a threat, don't you think, Sunshine?"

"Brian…" Justin repeated.

"Maybe we should just leave," Brian said suddenly.

"That might be for the best," the secret service man replied.

"You'd love that, wouldn't you? Drive me out of my own city because I'm gay."

The man shook his head and turned.

"Brian, calm down. We're staying, we're going to shake that asshole's hand and you're going to be in all the papers as a result," Justin said reasonably.

"Fuck them all," Brian said through clenched teeth.

"Don't let them get to you. We came here to make a point. Let's do it."

Brian looked into Justin's clear, blue eyes. "You are so smart and so level-headed," he said softly. "How did I ever survive before you came along?"

"Seems to me you got into a whole lot of trouble before I came along to straighten things out for you," Justin said with a twinkle in his eye.

Brian chuckled. He raised his hand and ran his fingers softly down Justin's cheek. "I am so lucky."

"And don't you forget it!" Justin said with a radiant smile.

"The motorcade just entered the park!" the secret service man said into his mouthpiece. "Places everyone. Keep your eyes peeled."

"Here we go," Justin said. "Behave yourself," he said to Brian as he straightened the man's tie. "You have to be the one to take the high road."

Brian nodded knowing that Justin was right. He followed the secret service man up the steps to the edge of the stage. "Wait here," the man said. "The President will accept your welcome as he makes his way onto the stage."

"Accept my welcome," Brian mumbled in contempt. "I'd like to give him a welcome!"

"Brian…" Justin warned.

The presidential limousine pulled up at the side of the stage. The President emerged as the door was opened for him. The secret service ushered George Bush to the steps leading up to the stage. One of the men whispered in the President's ear. He looked up at Brian and started climbing the steps.

"Mr. Mayor," he said holding out his hand.

"Mr. President," Brian replied trying to sound somewhat sincere. They shook hands. Brian turned slightly and said, "And this is my partner, Justin Taylor."

There was the slightest of hesitation on the President's part and then he shook Justin's hand too. That precious little smirk was all over his face. And then that was that. The President made his way to the center of the stage and began his prepared speech. People cheered in all the right places. Brian and Justin watched from the side of the stage wishing they could leave but knowing they were trapped there until the President exited this venue.

When they finally got back into the limo with Chuck, Brian was like a caged animal.

"I can't believe that all those people in Pittsburgh, in my city," Brian said possessively, "stood for hours waiting for that asshole to arrive and then cheered him incessantly. I thought they were smarter than that."

"What made you think that?"

"They elected me, didn't they?" Brian smirked.

Justin was glad to see some of Brian's equanimity returning. "But only a little over half voted for you," Justin reminded him.

"Twat," Brian snorted but there was affection in the snort. Brian knew it was Justin who kept him grounded.

"This traffic is unbelievable," Chuck said interrupting them.

"Are you surprised?" Brian asked. "They have half the fucking streets in the city blocked off."

They came to an intersection that appeared to be reopening. The President's motorcade must have already passed through. They turned onto one of the streets that the motorcade would have used to return to the airport. Kerry's rally was not too far along this street closer to the airport. Snipers were clearly visible from rooftops as they inched their way closer to the park where Kerry would speak.

"This is scary," Justin said frowning. "Should we need this kind of protection for the leader of the free world?"

"Hell, half the people on Liberty Avenue would kill the son of a bitch … if they gave a fuck," Brian said cynically.

"It just seems that all this shouldn't be necessary," Justin replied.

"In an ideal world…" Brian said. "But this world is far from ideal."

"You do your part to make it better," Justin said looking into the hazel eyes.

Brian knew he was blushing. He couldn't help himself. Justin had that innocent trust in him that always made him feel so special, but also reminded him that he was far from that ideal. It did, however, make him want to be better than he was.

Finally they pulled into the park. Kerry was already speaking as they could hear over the loudspeakers echoing across the park. The crowd was around the same size as the one they had left not too long before.

"The country is really polarized," Brian observed as the limousine came to a stop. "I hope everyone votes this year."

"You think it's going to be close?" Justin asked.

"I'm afraid so, and we don't want an outcome like last time."

"Florida gets the deciding vote once again?" Justin said shaking his head.

"Let's hope not."

Chuck opened the door for them and they stepped out. They were immediately met by another secret service man who didn't look too much different from the asshole that had greeted them at Bush's rally.

"Mayor Kinney?" the man said stepping forward and extending his hand.

Brian nodded and shook the proffered hand. When Brian glanced at Justin the man said, "And this must be your partner, Mr. Taylor."

Brian smiled slightly. "You're very well informed," Brian told him.

"Part of the job," he responded. "You just came from the other rally?"

"Yes," Brian replied. "Looked a lot like this one."

The man snorted. "Mr. Kerry would like to meet you when he's finished speaking."

"Photo op?"

"Of course."

Brian nodded. At least this guy knew the score and didn't seem to be making judgments. That was a refreshing change. Brian knew Kerry would use him to appeal to the gay vote. It would probably go over well in that community to show Kerry having a brief confab with the openly gay mayor of a big city. Brian didn't think Bush would like the publicity his handshake with an openly gay mayor would garner him, however.

They didn't have long to wait for Kerry. He finished his speech to rousing cheers and applause. Then a very strange thing happened. Senator Kerry did not leave the stage. He asked for silence and when there was some calm, he proceeded to explain that he and President Bush were in Pittsburgh at the same time, and that he had hoped to meet the city's fine mayor who was attending both rallies. However, the mayor seemed to have been delayed and he wasn't sure he'd get that opportunity.

Brian could feel his mouth drop open in surprise. He hadn't expected Kerry to care one way or the other. Brian watched the secret service man they had talked to earlier step up behind Kerry and whisper in his ear. Next thing he knew he was being called out onto the stage.

He grabbed Justin's hand and they made their way over to the senator. Kerry held out his hand and shook vigorously. Brian hesitantly introduced Justin who Kerry also shook hands with. Both men were quite surprised by the special treatment.

"I hope Pittsburgh will come through for me the way you did for your mayor," Senator Kerry said. "Thank you, Pittsburgh!" he called. He smiled at Brian and Justin and started off the stage.

"What the fuck just happened?" Justin asked as they watched Kerry climb into his limousine.

"We've been used as a political ploy," Brian said sarcastically.

"Yeah?" Justin asked. "Then why do I feel special?"

"That's what separates a good politician from a crappy one. The good one makes you appreciate that you've been had. The crappy one makes you feel like a piece of shit."

Justin laughed out loud. Brian always could cut through the bullshit and get to the heart of the matter.

-----

The next morning Justin went out early to get the local papers to see what they had to say about the two heavy hitters who had been in town the previous day. When he returned to the loft he was chuckling.

"What's so funny, newsboy?" Brian asked as he came out of the bathroom wiping a towel through his hair.

"These pictures in the Sun," Justin said.

"What pictures?"

"Of us and the President and of you and Senator Kerry."

"Let's see," Brian said reaching for the paper. "Do I look fabulous?"

"See for yourself," Justin chuckled.

Brian looked at the front page of the Sun. There were two photographs side by side. In the first one President Bush was shaking Justin's hand and looking like it was covered in shit. In the second one Brian had a complete look of surprise on his face as Senator Kerry is vigorously shaking his hand.

"I look stunned," Brian said with a scowl.

"And so does Bush," Justin said with a chuckle. "I wonder if he thought he might get AIDS or some other sexually transmitted disease by touching me."

"Probably thought your touch would turn him gay! He wasn't quite so bad with me, but I think he had geared himself up for that. Two fags was more than he bargained for."

"I know," Justin said with a frown.

"But I, on the other hand, always want to touch you," Brian said pulling Justin against his towel clad body.

"I know that too, but it makes me feel less than human when I get a reaction like the President's."

"I'm sorry he did that," Brian said kissing Justin on the forehead. "Let's hope other people see what he's really like from that picture."

"If it awakens the public to what they're dealing with, then I guess it was worth it," Justin said trying to be philosophical.

"Did you read the headline?" Brian asked.

"No, I was too busy looking at the pictures. What does it say?"

"Presidential Candidates Meet Their Match."

"Oh, fuck!" Justin giggled. "I wonder who thought that up."

"Whoever it was should get a Pulitzer," Brian said with a grin.

"Do you think anybody will see what we see when they look at that picture?"

"Not likely. They see what they want to see."

"So it didn't do much good?"

"In a close election every vote is going to count. Maybe the anti-gay vote will see this as Bush condoning our 'lifestyle' as they would call it. If we subtracted a few votes, then it was worth it."

"Why is it so hard sometimes?"

"Nobody said life was supposed to be easy," Brian said.

"And they were right."

"But I'm easy," Brian said with a smirk. "You can take advantage of me anytime." He slowly dropped his towel revealing the sublime contents beneath.

"Justin snorted. "You'll never be easy … but you're all mine."

"You got that right, Sunshine," Brian said as he tumbled them onto the bed.

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