Next Steps

Part of Palmer's success is due to his ability to anticipate the thoughts and actions of others, and to plan his own actions several steps ahead.  He thought of it like a game of chess - he not only had to anticipate his opponent's next move, but the move after that, and the one after that, as many steps ahead as he could.  He thought of Zalika as a partner, not an opponent, but he felt that he knew what her next step would be, and he would be prepared.

Palmer anticipated that he and Zalika would have a difficult conversation, but that ultimately Zalika would say that she wanted for them to be together, no matter what, and Palmer felt the same way.  So Palmer had decided that he would propose at that moment.  He slipped out of the office a little early one day and visited a local jeweler to pick out just the right engagement ring.  He hadn't been there long when he saw William entering the store.  He muttered "Damn" under his breath.

William was one of Palmer's top political advisers, known as a brilliant political strategist.  William's experience, connections, and analytical skills had proven beneficial to Palmer time and time again.  Palmer had felt fortunate when William had taken an interest in his career early on.  One thing that William is not known for is his subtlety, and Palmer appreciated that as well.  When others would offer a breath mint, William would flat out say "Your breath stinks."  In his position, Palmer was surrounded by "yes" men and women, and he appreciated having someone who could bluntly say what others wouldn't.  Which is why he did not want to see William at this particular moment.

As William approached, Palmer asked "How did you know that I was here?"  William said "Do you really even need to ask?"  Palmer told William that he was not interested in what he had to say.  William told Palmer that the reason is because he knows that William is there to tell him the truth.

William:  You're making a big mistake.
Palmer:  I don't think so.
William:  You know that they will rip her to shreds.
Palmer:  They can try it.  I will defend her to my last breath.
William:  I know that you will, and that will make you vulnerable.  Has she told you about...
Palmer:  It hasn't come up.
William:  So she hasn't told you?
Palmer:  It's not as if she's hiding it, it just hasn't come up.
William:  If she hasn't told you, then she's hiding it. 

Palmer thought back to when he and Zalika had met and started dating.  He did not order the background check on her, but he knew that his people would run one on Zalika, because that's what they do.  It was William who had told him the findings.  Palmer didn't hear anything that had changed his feelings for Zalika, and he never told her about the background check.

William:  Look, she's a lovely woman.  Smart, charming, successful, funny as hell.  I know what she means to you.  Under normal circumstances, I would say that she is perfect for you.  But YOU are on track to become the PRESIDENT!  These are not normal circumstances!

Palmer explained to William that he understood that William's preference would be for him to meet a woman with a particular pedigree, particularly one with political affiliations that could benefit Palmer.  Palmer reminded William that he had dated women like this before meeting Zalika, and had been bored by them. Meeting Zalika and making a connection with her had been the most wonderful surprise of his life.  She excited him, understood him, comforted him, made him laugh, and so much more.  She was his partner, and he felt that he could face anything with her by his side.  Palmer said when he's elected as President, the job will be for 8 years maximum.  Palmer said that he will have a lot more life to live after that, and wants that life to be a happy one.  Zalika makes him happy.

William asked Palmer if he remembered when their associate Sutton had said that Zalika was a bit manly.  Palmer immediately frowned and tensed up and said "He was WAY OUT OF LINE with that comment!"  William said "You wanted to punch him in the face right then and there, didn't you?"  Palmer said "HELL YEAH I wanted to punch him in the face!"

William said "See, this is what I'm talking about.  Think of how you're feeling right now, and multiply those feelings by 1,000.  They are going to say things about her that are so much worse than what Sutton said.  They want to distract you and make you vulnerable to your emotions.  And when you defend her, they will attack you and use your own words against you."

Palmer turned his attention to the salesperson, who droned on and on about the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight of the ring that Palmer had asked to see.  Palmer purchased the ring.  William shook his head..

William:  You need to let her know what she's in for.
Palmer:  She knows.
William:  Does she?  Does she REALLY know?  Or have you been sugar-coating things because you don't want her to be hurt?  Do you want ME to talk to her?
Palmer:  Oh, no!
William:  You need to be frank with her.  Be brutally honest.  Right now she probably has romantic notions in her head about how wonderful it will be when you're both living in the White House and how you'll live happily ever after.  You need to let her know that there are wolves out there who will relentless seek to destroy you both at every turn.  Can you do that?
Palmer:  Of course.
William:  I know you, and I know that you want to protect her more than anything, and shield her from pain.  Being with you is going to HURT, and the only way that you can protect her from that is to let her go.

Weak

Who remembers Palmer and Zalika?

The last time we heard from them, they were on their way to Rod and Danielle's reception after having an intense and drama-filled trip to Morristown and attending the wedding with co-travelers Darius and Adele.  Here's a reminder for you:

Rebounding to Morristown

Tense Ride

Things come to light

Here and Now

Heart to Heart

Raise Your Glass

Where do we go from here?

Since returning, Palmer and Zalika have been inseparable, and their relationship has been as intense and as passionate as ever.  But Zalika soon learned that dating a politician can be complicated.  For instance, Palmer has always stressed a need for discretion.  For Palmer, that means having control over what the media prints about him, so it is particularly important to keep his romantic life out of the headlines.  For Zalika, this means that there is a barrier.  This means that they can hang out together and with small groups of friends, they can vacation together (usually traveling to the destination separately), and this means that on those huge occasions where she really wants to be by his side, she is in the background, away from media scrutiny.

And for a while, that was okay.  For all the time that they spent apart, they seemed to make up for it when they did get together.  They had incredible vacations together, even if they did have to travel to the destinations separately.

Once, they were actually able to travel together because Palmer had access to a private plane.  That trip was particularly memorable for them both.

And it wasn't as if Palmer was keeping her a secret.  Palmer's friends have known Zalika almost from the beginning, and Zalika is invited to small social affairs, as long as there is no chance that the media will be present.  

Zalika doesn't discuss her relationship with Palmer with very many of her friends.  She is careful who she shares information with, especially since her friends may not understand their relationship.  Her friend Nina knows about the 2 of them has asked on more than one occasion "I saw Palmer's picture in the paper at that event... where were you?"  Zalika had replied that she was there, but that she and Palmer are not letting the media know that they are a couple.  Nina said "You said what you would NEVER be in a relationship where a guy hides you away from the people in his life!"  Zalika had explained that Palmer is not keeping her a secret, they just don't want the world to know.  Nina responded "So you're not a secret to a few people, but you are a secret to the rest of world.  That just sounds weak to me."

In the past, it had been easier to dismiss her friend's comments.  Now it was quite a bit more difficult.  The prospect of talking to Palmer about their relationship and about their future scared her a little, because she did not want to lose what they had.  On the other hand, if this was a relationship with no real future, she had to know that.  She invited Palmer over and they talked for hours.

Palmer has this way about him that is so charming and so slick, and he has a way of getting people to do what he wants and making them think that it was their idea.  Zalika knew this about him and admired that quality, but she was determined not to fall for that (at least not this time).  She needed real answers.  Palmer was very attentive and reassuring and let her know that her concerns were definitely valid.  But this is what it all came down to.

Palmer said  "I'm willing to take our relationship to the next level.  I've lived the majority of my adult life under media scrutiny, and I've grown accustomed to it.  For us to be completely open about our relationship would be freeing in a lot of ways, but it will be stifling in other ways.  As you know, I have very high political aspirations.  Right now, all you really have to worry about is the local media.  Think about what will happen when I run for President.  Are you ready for the background checks that my political enemies will run on you, and how they will spin the information that they find to your detriment, just to get at me?  Are you ready for reporters to interview your friends from high school and college, trying to find your deepest secrets?  Are you ready for the betrayal you'll feel when your old friends sell your secrets to the tabloids to earn a few bucks?  Are you ready to have reporters going through your garbage?  That's just a little bit of what will happen."

Zalika paused for a bit, and then opened her mouth to speak.  Palmer said "Don't answer me now.  Think about it for a while.  REALLY think about it.  And then, let me know what you want to do."

It's been a mild summer, but Palmer and Zalika are heating things up in this video!  Check it out, unless you are easily offended, in which case you should avert your eyes.