This is an original and comes between chapters 29 and 30 hence the odd chapter title. It's right after the party Maddy takes them to.

***********************************

A rapid fire of knocks woke Donovan. A chill crept over his arms and torso as he climbed out of bed. The knocks continued, grating against his patience. When he pulled his bedroom door open, Link was waiting on the other side. Resting one hand on the door frame, Donovan held the door in his other hand as if he was likely to slam it closed any second.

"What?" he growled.

His tone had no effect on Link's eager expression.

"It's Sunday," he said.

"I'm aware. It's also seven in the morning."

At this statement, Link shifted.

"I wanted to be ready when they called."

Realization punctured the sleepy cloud in Donovan's brain. His annoyance vanished and with it his scowl. Tiredly, he rubbed his eyes.

"Yeah, of course," he said "They don't call this early, you know."

Link gave a weak shrug, and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Still."

"Okay, let me get ready and we can get something to eat."

Link's face perked up. "I'll just wait here."

The eagerness returning, Link walked back to Donovan's living room and plopped down on the couch. Donovan grabbed clothes and went to get ready.

A short car ride later, they climbed out of the Mercedes just outside a small diner. The city streets were beginning to fill as families took off for church and others went to find the company of their friends for a long breakfast. The early morning breeze was cold and the pair quickly entered the warmth of the place. The smell of toast, bacon and eggs filled every corner of the diner. A stout, middle aged woman glanced at the newcomers and grinned.

"Find a spot loves and I'll be right with you," she said.

Half the booths were already taken, weekend workers grabbing a bite to eat before they dashed off. Despite the number of diners there, the noise was minimal, most keeping to themselves and their thoughts. Donovan led them to an empty booth by the windows and slid in, Link sitting opposite. Outside pedestrians cradled cups of coffee, the steam spirally upward. The smiley waitress appeared, offering them a warm greeting.

"Do you boys want your usuals?" she asked.

Donovan looked to Link, questioning him.

"That sounds great, thanks Lynda," Link said.

"Of course, sugar," she said.

Before she could disappear, Donovan spoke.

"A cup of coffee as soon as you can," he said.

Smiling at him, she nodded and walked off. It was barely a minute later when a mug of rich black coffee and a collection of additives was placed before him. With his thanks, she left again. Ignoring the creams and sugars, Donovan drank the coffee straight. Across from him, Link didn't need any stimulant. His leg bounced incessantly as he stared out the window.

"You have your phone with you?" he asked Donovan.

Donovan gave a single nod.

"Good. It's charged and everything?"

Another nod. Slowly draining his mug, he watched Link. The prospect of seeing his father always had a brightening effect on him, but something about to day was different. Donovan made no mention of this, Link would tell him when he was ready. Lynda came back with their food and they began eating. Despite what looked like nervousness on Link's part, he still managed to inhale his food.

When they were both finished, Link pushed his plate away and leaned on the table. His leg took up it's previous bouncing. Lifting his third cup of coffee to his lips, Donovan rest back against the booth, one arm draped over the seat. Link looked at him, fiddled with his paper napkin and then set it aside. All the while Donovan drank and watched Link, waiting.

"I'm going to tell my dad about Maddy," Link finally said.

Donovan made no response, knowing he didn't need to, the dam inside Link's mind had broken. All he needed was a set of ears to listen.

"I know that we just started dating and we're not super serious," he continued, "and stuff but she means a lot. I figure it would be something he would want to know about. I think he would like her. I know at times she can be overly excited but that's what I like about her, she doesn't seem to have a dark side."

He raised a hand as if Donovan was going to argue, though Donovan gave no indication of it.

"Don't get me wrong her life hasn't been perfect, but despite that she's still really happy and it reminds me that I can be too. I don't have to explain why my life sucks at times, but even with that I've found her and I don't know...she's perfect. She makes me happy."

A small smile settled on Link's lips as if just that fact alone could banish all the pain he had ever faced.

"Your dad will want to know then," Donovan said.

Link focused on his and nodded, his eagerness returning. The diner had grown louder as the more awake patrons had entered. The noise was familiar and gave the place a warm sense of camaraderie. Beyond the windows the sun had taken up residence in the sky, waving off the cold of the morning wind.

"Do you think I should tell him that Mason and I are at the same school now?" Link asked.

"He already knows," Donovan said. "I updated your information."

Link nodded. "Yeah, and he's..." Link glanced around at the crowded booths and stools. "You know, so he knows everything."

"Exactly."

The time slipped by as they remained at the diner, not having any reason to leave and enjoying the comfort of the friendly atmosphere. As the day was just breaking into afternoon, Donovan's phone buzzed. When he pulled it out, Link's eagerness doubled as his eyes glued themselves to it.

"Hello," Donovan answered.

"Agent Keller, this is Agent Johnson."

"It's nice to be talking to you. What do I need to know?"

"The meeting is cancelled."

Donovan's fingers tightened on the phone. Link was still staring at him, his expression expectant. A loud shout of laughter sounded and Donovan moved out of the booth. As Link rushed to join, he held up his hand, stalling him. Out of the diner, Donovan spoke.

"What do you mean the meeting is cancelled?" he asked.

"A situation has arisen that needs the immediate attention of the President."

Frustration coursed through Donovan and he held himself back from breaking his phone against the side of the diner.

"Did the President say anything? Give a message for his son?"

At the title, Agent Johnson paused. "He said to tell Link he was sorry."

Donovan nodded. "Okay."

"We'll be in touch when another meeting can be scheduled."

"Understood."

The line went dead and Donovan pocketed his phone, reigning in his emotions. The chatter from inside spilled into the street as he walked back in. When he slid into the booth, Link wasn't looking at him. Instead, his head was bent, his shoulders slumped and he was tearing apart the napkin.

"It's not going to happen," he said, lamely.

At the dejected boy in front of him, Donovan felt like breaking some part of the President. Though the logical side of him knew that despite being a father, he was the leader of the nation, Donovan didn't care. Right then he wanted the man to simply be a father hearing about his son's new girlfriend.

"Your father said he was sorry," Donovan said.

Link made no response, continuing to render the napkin into bits of confetti.

"Since we now have the day to ourselves, what do you want to do?" Donovan asked.

Again no response.

"We could go see a movie? I could take you paint balling? Spend all day playing video games? Destroy public property?" He eyed Link, watching for a hint of anything. "Egg the White House? Vandalize the President's car? Go to a bar?"

Link raised his head. "You would take me to a bar?"

"No, I just needed you to respond."

Link sank back against the booth. All the hope and happiness he had held that morning was gone, washed away by a single call.

"I just want to go home," Link said.

"Alright."

They climbed out and Donovan left a fifty on the table. Before they returned to the apartment, Donovan stopped by a grocery store, making a quick purchase. When he got back in the car, Link glanced at the plastic bag.

"It's not eggs, is it? Cause I don't think we could actually get away with that."

Donovan shook his head.

They drove home in silence, Link staring blankly out the window. At the apartment, Link went to his door, but Donovan stopped him. Not questioning him, Link let himself be led to Donovan's apartment. Inside, Donovan pulled out a gallon of Link's favorite ice cream and handed it to him.

"You're going to eat all of that until it's either empty or you puke and we're going to watch whatever you want to," Donovan said.

Link eyed the ice cream and then looked at Donovan.

"I almost thought you would take me to a gun range to shoot something."

"The thought crossed my mind but you don't like guns."

Link nodded, staring at the ice cream in his hand. "Yeah, I don't like guns."

Collecting spoons and his own carton of ice cream, Donovan directed Link to the couch.

"What are we watching?" he asked.

For a second, Link looked liked he would leave but then he fidgeted.

"Can we watch The Notebook? Maddy keeps talking about it and I have no idea what it's about."

Fighting against a smile, Donovan nodded. As the movie played, Donovan spent half the time watching it and keeping an eye on Link. The ice cream slowly disappeared and the next movie was chosen.

Through it all Link never spoke and didn't seem to really be aware of what he was watching. Seeing his distraction, Donovan hated knowing that no matter what he did he could do nothing to make the shadow of sadness go away.

**********************************************************************

Back up, son!

There you have it! Ice cream was put into another joymoment book! Well, I had to! You can't blame me, I have an ice cream addiction, we all know this!

Poor Link, his dad is an idiot and should be punched in the face. But I guess being the President means you have an important job, still he should have called Link himself or something. Gosh he's the worst!

Any who tell me your thoughts on it!

I liked this but there is something about the coming chapters that I like even more. I'm curious to see what you think of them! So on you go!

Before you leave, leave a vote, comment, follow!